Hull City 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

Shane Long

Shane Long scored and also won a penalty against former club West Brom as Hull eased their relegation concerns with a win at the KC Stadium.

The Irishman went down under Craig Dawson's tackle to earn a penalty that Ben Foster saved from Nikica Jelavic before Liam Rosenior headed in.

Long then added the second from Curtis Davies' knock-down in the 38th minute.

Rosenior cleared off the line from Victor Anichebe and Long hit a post from 20 yards in the second half.

Tigers manager Steve Bruce always felt that the January additions of Long and Jelavic would prove crucial to his team's survival hopes.

Bruce had targeted 10 wins for survival and this was his team's ninth of the season.

Even if West Brom felt hard done by with the manner of the penalty they conceded to Long, they must accept that the striker's ruthlessness made the difference as his new team moved comfortably into mid-table and his old employers remained deep in trouble.

Bruce, whose side are in the FA Cup semi-finals against League One Sheffield United, will have been more concerned with the knee problem that forced Long off in the closing stages than he ever was at the prospect of a toothless West Brom forcing their way back into the match.

The win moves Hull five points clear of Pepe Mel's 16th-placed Baggies, although the four teams below West Brom also lost.

The visitors did enjoy the better start, with Stephane Sessegnon driving over from outside the area and Graham Dorrans being denied by Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

But David Meyler should have given the hosts the lead when he pulled away from Steven Reid only to head Tom Huddlestone's corner wide at the far post.

Just after the half hour, Jelavic kept the ball in play after a poor first touch and Foy penalised Dawson for his challenge on Long.

Foster pulled off a fine one-handed save from Jelavic's spot-kick but Rosenior, who had not scored since October 2009, reacted quickest to head in his first goal for the club in his 133rd appearance.

West Brom goalkeeper Foster pushed over Huddlestone's drive but the Tigers doubled their lead six minutes after moving in front.

Huddlestone's corner was cleared by Dawson but Jake Livermore hooked it back into the area, Davies flicked on and Long guided in a neat finish.

After the break, Jelavic flashed a shot past the near post from Sone Aluko's cross before Rosenior headed off the line from Anichebe at the other end.

Other than Long hitting a post from around 25 yards, Hull were content to sit on their advantage and they never looked like letting go of it.

Hull manager Steve Bruce:

"We didn't play well but we did enough with our resilience and attitude to get a result that's very important at this stage.

"[Referee] Chris Foy was eight yards away [from the penalty incident] and Shane got straight back up and I thought it was maybe a bit soft but maybe there was enough contact to send him over.

"I always said that we needed 10 wins and then you get enough draws to see you home. If we can get another win to get to 36 points and a couple of draws to 38 it will keep you up this year."

West Brom head coach Pepe Mel:

"It's possible it was a penalty, but in the second half it was a penalty, too, for James Morrison.

"I think Long is a player with experience and Dawson is not and it was the same situation in the other box but Morrison and no penalty and it was a bad decision from the referee.

"When I arrived at West Brom, Shane Long was [going to] Hull and that's football. Now our only focus is to win the next match against Cardiff."

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