MIDDLESBROUGH halted a run of three successive defeats as they claimed a 1-1 draw with West Ham.

The Teessiders claimed the lead in a close encounter when Cristhian Stuani headed home Viktor Fischer’s corner at the start of the second half.

But West Ham, who had earlier hit the crossbar through Mark Noble, levelled when Dimitri Payet skipped past four Middlesbrough players to slot past Victor Valdes.

The point leaves Boro in 16th position, two points ahead of their opponents, who fill the final relegation place as they continue to struggle to come to terms with their new surroundings in the former Olympic Stadium.

Aitor Karanka sprung a selection surprise prior to kick-off when he dropped Alvaro Negredo and handed Jordan Rhodes his first Premier League start.

With Fischer replacing Gaston Ramirez, Boro played with two men in attack on occasion, and just about edged a tight first half.

There was an edginess to West Ham’s play that was the result of their dire recent run, with a muted off-field atmosphere inside the London Stadium hardly helping Slaven Bilic’s side either.

Boro’s efforts ensured there wasn’t too much for the home fans to shout about, with the visitors carving out the first chance of the game in the 11th minute.

Rhodes knocked the ball down into Fischer’s path, but the summer signing from Ajax dragged his low shot across the face of the target.

West Ham’s first opportunity was the result of an error from Calum Chambers – the Arsenal loanee was Boro’s shakiest defender all afternoon – and saw Payet drill in a shot that was blocked.

Moments later, Payet cut in dangerously from the left-hand side, but his 20-yard effort curled just wide of the post.

Michail Antonio, who played as West Ham’s central striker despite having started the season at right-back, saw a header deflect wide as the hosts enjoyed a decent spell midway through the first half, but with Marten de Roon and Adam Forshaw impressing in the central area, Boro never looked like being overrun.

The Teessiders threatened again in the 25th minute with Rhodes heading wide after Stuani nodded Stewart Downing’s cross into his path, but West Ham came closest to a first-half breakthrough a minute before the interval.

Another moment of hesitation from Chambers allowed Payet to roll the ball into Mark Noble’s path, and the West Ham skipper advanced to the edge of the area before curling an excellent strike against the crossbar.

It might well have been a different game had that gone in, but as it was, Boro headed into the interval on level terms and claimed the lead seven minutes after the break.

Forshaw released Rhodes over the top, and while the striker’s shot was saved by Adrian, the Teessiders scored from the subsequent corner.

Fischer delivered the ball from the left-hand side, and Stuani rose highest to head goalwards. Mark Noble hacked the ball clear, but television replays showed the ball had already crossed the line when the Hammers midfielder made contact.

Boro merited their advantage at that stage, but it lasted just five minutes as West Ham equalised courtesy of a goal of the very highest quality.

Payet has struggled to match the standards he displayed last season, but he produced a moment of magic just when his side needed it most.

Having dumped Antonio Barragan onto his backside as he turned close to the touchline, Payet danced past three opponents as he cut into the box before sliding a slick finish past Victor Valdes.

It was a sublime piece of skill, and another barnstorming run by Payet shortly after was only blocked by a foul by de Roon. Payet hit the resultant free-kick into the wall, before Alvaro Arbeloa smashed the rebound narrowly wide.

Both sides had late half-chances to claim a winner, but neither Gaston Ramirez nor Antonio were able to find the target from the corner of the box.

West Ham (4-3-3): Adrian; Byram (Arbeloa 7), Collins, Reid, Ogbonna; Obiang, Noble (Lanzini 73), Kouyate; Tore (Zaza 46), Antonio, Payet.

Subs (not used): Randolph (gk), Feghouli, Fletcher, Fernandes.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Valdes; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; de Roon, Forshaw; Stuani, Fischer (Ramirez 59), Downing; Rhodes (Negredo 67).

Subs (not used): Guzan (gk), Ayala, Espinosa, Clayton, Traore.