Harewood's winner gives Pardew time to save job

Alan Pardew says things are looking up for West Ham after they recorded their longest winning run of the season.

A 1-0 win at Gillingham made it three consecutive Championship victories without conceding a goal and improved their standing within the play-off zone.

But the manager is not getting carried away, after reports less than a week ago that he was close to the sack.

Pardew said: "Things are looking up. We are buoyant-ish going to Leeds on Saturday, but it will be tough and we know that.

"We are in the results business and if we hadn't won the last two games I would have been under pressure."

Marlon Harewood bundled in the goal in the 13th minute from a Matthew Etherington cross. The defence then withstood a series of corners and goalkeeper Steve Bywater was kept on his toes by long-range shots from Andrew Crofts and Darius Henderson.

In the second half, Paul Smith and Matthew Jarvis went close for the home side, while at the other end substitute Teddy Sheringham hit the bar and Harewood went close to a second with a long-distance volley.

The upturn in fortunes should keep the West Ham board rushing into a decision about Pardew's future.

Steve Lomas said: "We have been pretty inconsistent all season but we hope with three wins on the bounce that we have started something now.

"The first two league places are a bit out of our reach but we want to get some good form and get into the play-offs."