Ten-man West Ham United required penalties to advance in the Europa League after losing 1-0 to Birkirkara in the second leg of the second-round qualifier.

Ironically considering the Hammers had qualified for the Europa League’s early rounds by virtue of fair play, James Tomkins became the second player sent off in four games as the east Londoners toiled in Malta.

West Ham will now face Romanian side Astra in the third qualifying round - after they overcame Inverness Caledonian Thistle - before potentially advancing to the play-off round in order to finally reach the Europa League proper.

Head coach Slaven Bilic named a side which included none of the club's seven summer signings and handed starts to Matt Jarvis and Mauro Zarate too. Meanwhile, only six substitutes were named by the travelling Hammers.

In the heat of Malta, the visitors made a far-from-ideal start when former Italy international and Juventus forward Fabrizio Miccoli netted for Birkirkara after 14 minutes.

And on half time, Tomkins was dismissed for pushing Nikola Vukanac as the temperature rose in the Ta’ Qali Stadium. Vukanac was only cautioned for his part in the melee.

Bilic’s side could not find a second-half equaliser, though substitute Modibo Maiga had a goal disallowed for offisde - and with the score at 1-1 on aggregate, penalties were required.

On a night where little else had gone to plan West Ham were at least flawless from the spot, winning 5-3 thanks to Diego Poyet’s decisive fifth kick.

West Ham United: Adrian; O’Brien, Collins, Tomkins, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Amalfitano (Maiga 60), Nolan (c) (Poyet 59), Jarvis (Samuelson 120); Zarate.

Subs: Randolph (GK), Hendrie, Pike.