Once again, Crysencio Summerville emerged as the hero for West Ham, providing a much-needed lifeline in recent weeks.

In a crucial moment during the fifth minute of extra time, Summerville skillfully maneuvered from the left, weaving past defenders. His shot, aided by a deflection, gracefully found its way into the Burton net, sparing Nuno Espirito Santo from further disappointment.

Before this dramatic climax, Nuno’s depleted West Ham squad struggled to pose any real threat against the League One side, who were determined to hold their ground.

Throughout extra time, Burton showed their intent with Jack Armer, Kain Adom, and Kyran Lofthouse each coming close with shots that narrowly missed the target. Alphonse Areola’s critical save from Adom, followed by Kegs Chauke’s attempt that blasted into the side netting, kept West Ham on edge.

Compounding their difficulties, West Ham had to endure the last 20 minutes of extra time with a man down after Freddie Potts received a red card. Tensions flared towards the match’s conclusion when a tackle by Kyle Walker-Peters led to a skirmish between the teams.

Crysencio Summerville scored West Ham’s winning goal in the early stages of extra-time

Summerville’s strike proved enough for West Ham to edge past their League One opponents

West Ham were reduced to 10-men when Freddie Potts was sent off shortly after Summerville put them ahead

Despite their challenges, West Ham secured a spot in the FA Cup fifth round, with Summerville marking his impressive form, netting his sixth goal in seven games.

‘The overriding emotion is one of disappointment,’ said Burton boss Gary Bowyer. ‘We’re not going to get a better chance to create history, to get to the fifth round, to knock out a Premier League team.

‘It was some effort. We had a couple of outstanding claims for penalties. I’m really disappointed with the goal from where he picked it up to where he got to without a challenge.

‘I’m more angry with Nuno for the fact he didn’t leave him at home with Jarrod Bowen.’

Nuno claimed there was no risk involved as he made 10 changes and peppered his team with inexperience.

Konstantinos Mavropanos was the only survivor from the starting line-up against Manchester United. Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Mateus Fernandes took the day off.

Others started on the bench but were required to come on and see off the spirited challenge of Burton, who started the day in the League One relegation zone.

Bowyer’s team were winless in five but opened with intent, troubling the Premier League visitors in the first 20 minutes, especially from set pieces including Tyrese Shade’s long throw.

The match was proceeded by West Ham fans staging a protest against their ownership by flying a banner over the Pirelli Stadium

Potts was shown a straight red card for a foul on Burton Albion’s Julian Larsson

Burton passed up several opportunities in the closing stages to take the match to penalties

Sebastian Revan fired wide before he was injured and replaced, and Alphonse Areola saved from Shade. Claims for a penalty for a foul on Jake Beesley were waved away.

West Ham survived and established a little more control. Soungoutou Magassa and Mohamadou Kante imposed their physical power and stature on the midfield areas, although with very little creativity.

Brad Collins made a comfortable save from a curling effort from distance by Callum Wilson. The response from the away end was an ironic chorus of ‘We’ve had a shot’.

Their next one, from Kante from 25 yards, sailed high over the goal, over the West Stand and out of the ground. It summed up their performance.

West Ham found a better rhythm at the start of the second half. They moved the ball quicker, Adama Traore got on the ball and tested Burton’s defence. Wilson and Ollie Scarles were close to a low Traore cross from the right before bundled out at the back post.

Mavropanos met one corner delivered by Scarles with firm header straight into the hands of Collins, then met another with a miscued volley which skidded wide.

Wilson darted clear onto a long free kick out of defence, taken quickly by Mavropanos and connected with a crisp volley. Collins pushed it over.

Burton resisted, then summoned a flourish which prompted Nuno to revert to a back four and boost his front line with Taty Castellanos and Summerville.

Nuno Espirito Santo had named an understrength side and will be relieved to have progressed to the fifth round

Although the changes came too late to prevent extra time, Summerville gave them an advantage and might have scored a second on the break near the end.

West Ham had to battle to protect the lead after Potts was sent off, a straight red harshly given for a mistimed sliding tackle on Julian Larsson. ‘He is not a violent player,’ said Nuno, in defence of Potts. ‘Aggressive yes, but he is a fair player.’

Burton lacked a killer instinct in front of goal despite a late flourish and it was Summerville settled the tie.

‘Confidence, it is all about confidence,’ said Nuno. ‘He’s full of confidence and in a good moment.

‘We knew it would be tough. Away from home in the FA Cup against a motivated team with their weapons, set pieces and throw in. We achieved what we came here to do. I am happy to be in the fifth round.’