West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic has suggested that his side lacked quality in their victory over Birkirkara in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

The Hammers were continually frustrated in front of goal by the Maltese side, until defender James Tomkins scored a scrappy late winner to end the night on a more positive note for the new West Ham boss.

"We didn't play really quick, but quick enough against this type of opposition," said Bilic, according to the Daily Mail.

"They are a decent side, they are not, with all respect, Real Madrid, but they are not like the team from Andorra or San Marino. They can make your job more difficult.

"It was okay for this stage of pre-season, the crosses were not brilliant, but then we created three or four chances, were a bit unlucky with hitting the post, but also we did not have the quality."

The Hammers will now make a trip to Malta with a slender one-goal advantage in the contest's second leg.