The Canaries enjoyed the better of the first half and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when James Collins upended Andrew Surman, but referee Chris Foy correctly ruled the challenge was just outside the area.
"There is a bit of frustration because we have had three games where we cannot fault the performance or the chances we have created," said Hughton, who took over from Paul Lambert in the summer. "We coped with West Ham very well, but when we have our opportunities, we have to be showing a bit more quality and guile, perhaps also a bit of fortune in that final third."
Jussi Jaaskelainen denied Simeon Jackson with a fine save just after the restart, but both sides ran out of ideas.
On-loan Tottenham youngster Harry Kane could have won it for the hosts in stoppage time, only to scuff his shot straight at Jaaskelainen.
Hughton added: "I felt we did enough today and on the balance of play had enough to win the game. There can be a disappointment we have not got the goals to win the game, but no-one can question the endeavour of the players."
The Norwich manager accepts Hoy's decision was spot on, but that perhaps the hosts were out of luck, and he added: "The one on the line was very close. In another game, with another referee, then that is given. I think the referee got his calls right."
West Ham also had their chances, especially early on when Carlton Cole's effort was blocked and John Ruddy saved from Kevin Nolan. Substitute Matt Jarvis, a £7million signing from Wolves, also saw a late effort deflected wide.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: "It could have been anybody's game with the way it went and the chances created, which no-one took. In the end, we got the clean sheet and a very valuable point away from home.
"We have to be satisfied with that because our finishing was not as good as it should have been, nor was our final ball. We defended well, so it was a good point and clean sheets now in three games out of four is a great basis to build any team on."
Source: PA
Source: PA