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Former West Brom striker Shane Long: I didn't dive

Shane Long has hit back at claims that he dived to win a penalty in Hull City's 2-0 win over former club West Brom.

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Albion defender Craig Dawson was penalised for tripping the former Hawthorns striker but Long denies any wrongdoing.

"He clipped me," said Long.

"I didn't dive, he clipped my heel. He didn't mean to do it and I thought it was a soft penalty.

"I got up straight away and tried to play on, but the referee judged it to be a penalty."

Striker Nikica Jelavic saw his penalty saved by Albion keeper Ben Foster before Hull defender Liam Rosenior reacted quickest to head home from close range.

Long added Hull's second of the game but didn't celebrate out of respect for his former club.

Long said: "It was a nice moment. I told myself that I wouldn't celebrate, but I almost forgot myself. I took a few steps and then remembered who I was playing against.

"It was nice to score and it gave us a bit of breathing space. It was a fairly even game up until the first goal, then we got the second. In the second half we caused them problems on the counter-attack a few times and could have scored a few more."

Long admits he would like to see Albion remain in the Premier League and hope they can go on a winning run.

"I hope for West Brom's sake that they can get on a winning run because it's a good club with some great players and good coaches.

"I'll be looking out for their results from here on in and the perfect outcome would be for both teams to be in the Premier League again next season."

Long signed for Hull City in January for a reported £7 million.

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