West Ham United coach Slaven Bilic has praised his side's character after they scraped past Birkirkara in their Europa League qualifying encounter.

The Irons had to rely on a victory through penalties to seal progression, after James Tomkins was given a straight red card in the first half of the encounter in Malta.

"The most important thing is that we are through," Bilic told the club's official website.

"They started better and they were very aggressive. But after they scored we took control of the game.

"We had a man sent off and we had to adjust to that. But the guys showed their spirit and commitment and the most important thing is that we got no injuries and we have got through."

The Hammers are now due to face Romanian side Astra Giurgiu in the tournament's third qualifying round.