West Ham United will go another season without European football, as a first-half strike from Filipe Teixeira sees them crash out in the Europa League play-off's with a 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu.

For the second time in a few days, the Hammers lacked any attacking integrity in the first period. They only had half-chances from Jonathan Calleri and Pedro Obiang to show for their efforts, before a late effort from Teixeira shocked the London Stadium.

Calleri and Michail Antonio had excellent chances at the beginning of the second half, but couldn't find an equaliser.

Cheikhou Kouyate, Winston Reid, Ashley Fletcher and Enner Valencia all pushed for an equaliser, but could do nothing to stop the Hammers crashing out in the final hurdle of qualifying.

Above: Jonathan Calleri during West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Charoltte Wilson/Offside
Above: Jonathan Calleri during West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Charoltte Wilson/Offside

Failing to get started

Slaven Bilic's side came into this vital second-leg off the back of a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, but one of the main criticisms of that performance, was that they lacked attacking integrity for the majority of the game, and this was still evident for the opening 45 minutes.

Their first opportunity came around early on, as young defender Reece Burke did well to play an excellent through ball into the path of Calleri. The new loan signing was looking for his first goal in a Hammers shirt, especially after his glaring miss right at the end of Sunday's game, but the Argentine couldn't get the ball out of his feet and the chance went begging.

It was then the turn of midfielder Obiang, whose deflected effort proved to be more of a challenge for goalkeeper Silviu Lung, who did well to react to turn the ball behind his goal.

Above: Filipe Teixeira slotting home his goal in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Reuters
Above: Filipe Teixeira slotting home his goal in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Reuters

Against the run of play

Giurgiu hadn't really troubled the area of Mark Randolph, but took a shock lead a minute before the break, as they looked to replicate last season's play-off victory over the Hammers.

It was poor defending from Bilic's side, as the Romanians were allowed to break upfield to create a three on two situation. Their defence was drawn to the left-hand side, which opened space for Teixeira, who proved too much for Sam Byram as he rolled it into the bottom corner to stun the majority of the London Stadium into silence.

Above: Michail Antonio heading over  in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Reuters
Above: Michail Antonio heading over in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Reuters

Inches away

Bilic's side came out for the second period, looking a different side as they looked for that equaliser, and they had two excellent chances to get themselves back in the game.

It hadn't been a great start to Calleri's career in Claret and Blue, but nearly redeemed himself as he got on the end of Gokhan Tore's cross. But technique saw the ball come off both his head and shoulder, which allowed Lung to claw it away.

Byram immediately got the ball back into the area with a thunderous cross, Antonio managed to get on the end of it but could do nothing but send it over the crossbar.

Above: Striker Ashley Fletcher growing frustrated in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Kevin Quigley
Above: Striker Ashley Fletcher growing frustrated in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Kevin Quigley

Pushing for a breakthrough

The Hammer's began to turn the screw from that point, with chances coming and going as they clocked ticked down.

Kouyate was the hero of the 3-0 win over NK Domzale in the previous round, and looked to be again as he tried one from distance, but it was just wide of the mark.

Captain Reid came even closer just after the hour mark, as he rose highest for the corner, but it just went wide of the near post, and the search for a goal continued.

Above: Silviu Lung producing one of many saves in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Reuters
Above: Silviu Lung producing one of many saves in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu | Photo: Reuters

Preserving a slender lead

Substitute Fletcher arguably had the chance of the half, as a feeble shot from Angelo Ogbonna fell to his feet. The youngster did well to turn and shoot, but somehow Lung managed to block the goal bound effort.

Lung was proving to be the hero of the tie, as he produced another excellent save to preserve his side's slender advantage.

This time it was from Valencia, who was looking to end his Hammers goal drought. He almost did as free-kick looked to creeping in at the right-hand post, but Lung got a strong hand to it as Giurgiu managed to hold out.

West Ham now have to focus on getting back into Europe via the league. 

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.