When the dust settles this weekend, Newcastle United's point against a team that has been in Champions League contention all season will be deemed a decent one for Eddie Howe's side.
And the frustration of not making it four Premier League wins in a row is merely a sign of just how far the Magpies have progressed in a short period of time under Howe.
Only a defensive lapse from a free-kick in the first proved to be the only real fault on an encouraging afternoon for United and they are now six games unbeaten in the Premier League.
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Another big plus was Joe Willock's first goal of the season as he ended his drought ended with a first half equaliser.
United had made a positive start to the game with Joelinton forcing Lukasz Fabianski into a block low down to earn a corner on two minutes.
From the resultant set-play, Joelinton headed it into the path of Jacob Murphy with his shot blocked before Joe Willock fired over.
The early momentum continued when Ryan Fraser struck a powerful low volley towards goal but it struck his own player in Chris Wood and West Ham escaped the danger.
Newcastle bossed the early possession stakes with 77% of the ball at one stage but they could not find a breakthrough.
Joelinton had a go from just outside the box on 18 minutes but he blazed it high and wide.
The Hammers underlined their threat when Declan Rice telegraphed a diagonal pass from right to left before Jarrod Bowen's angled effort was tipped on to the bar by Martin Dubravka.
Murphy then teed himself up on 25 minutes but again the quality was missing as it sailed over the bar.
Despite their positive attacking start, Newcastle fell behind seven minutes later after Emil Krafth barged Michail Antonio over.
Aaron Cresswell curled in the free-kick from the left with Craig Dawson afforded a free header to crash home the opener, beating Dan Burn to the ball.
Bowen got free in the box two minutes before half-time and drilled an effort at Dubravka but Newcastle deservedly pulled level in first half stoppage time.
Fraser hung a ball up from the left-hand side with Rice only managing to clear the ball into the path of Willock who somehow stretched his boot at the far post to send a shot off the other upright and level the game up.
West Ham players desperately tried to claim it hadn't crossed the line but it was clearly a goal and Newcastle went in level at the break.
The Hammers were forced into a change at the break with Ben Johnson replacing Ryan Fredericks.
West Ham started the second half with more intent than the first and forced a couple of half chances but nothing to genuinely trouble Dubravka.
At the other end, Fabian Schar made a forward run and tried his luck from distance but Fabianski gathered well.
With confidence flowing once again, Willock got free in the final third with 25 minutes to go but his effort was curled just wide of the left-hand post of Fabianski.
In what can safely be described as an end to end game Antonio drove into the box from the opposite side but floated a terrible effort high over the top.
David Moyes made an attacking change when introducing Croatia star Nikola Vlasic for Said Benrahama for the final 20 minutes.
Fraser then 'welcomed' him to the game within a few minutes of his arrival with a feisty sliding challenge that earned a yellow card for the battling Scot.
The winger was taken off and replaced by Miguel Almiron moments later as Newcastle seemingly looked to try to pinch the game on the counter.
With four minutes left though Burn had to make a vital block to deny Rice after the England midfielder fired at goal.
Howe introduced Bruno Guimaraes for the closing stages with Willock taken off after another tireless shift.
West Ham pressed late on but Newcastle held firm and banked another point to take them to 22 points with 14 matches left.
They continue to close in on top-flight survival just weeks after being written off by a host of pundits.
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