TEDDY Sheringham has strenuously denied claims he dived to earn a penalty in Tottenham's 4-0 Worthington Cup third round tie at Tranmere.
The match had been keenly fought when in the 20th minute the England striker tumbled inside the penalty area after what appeared to be minimal contact from Rovers defender Mickey Mellon.
Referee Phil Dowd had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Sheringham himself converted to set Spurs on their way to a comfortable victory at Prenton Park.
Tranmere boss Dave Watson later claimed the former Manchester United frontman had been "embarrassed" by the penalty, adding: "It wasn't a penalty, it was as clear as that. Everyone in the stadium could see that."
The incident undoubtedly transformed what had been a tricky obstacle for the Premiership side into a relative cakewalk, but Sheringham claimed his conscience was clear.
He said: "I think it was a silly challenge from the defender and a definite penalty in my view."
"I've got no conscience about that. I'm going nowhere as such and got a shove in the back and that took me over.
"The boys might think I'm having a dive but that's not the case at all.
"The fella barged me over, simple as that. I wasn't looking for it, I wasn't using my experience, I went to get the ball and he's barged me over."
The game again saw both managers heap much criticism on the official, who had a torrid night.
Rovers' Mellon and Spurs' Tim Sherwood were both given their marching orders for scarcely deserving offences, and the entire night was punctuated by a succession of yellow cards.
Sheringham was glad to have overcome a fixture that on paper looked like providing an upset.
He added: "It could have been a tough game, but when you get in front and with the composure the players have got at the moment we've always felt we were going to win it."