Shadow chancellor Ed Balls was accused of diving as Labour earned a 3-0 victory against a Press Lobby XI ahead of this week's party conference in Manchester.
Balls bagged a brace while shadow education secretary and Everton supporter Andy Burnham scored another at the Manchester-held match.
Footage of the game showed the former shadow home secretar Balls collapsing to the floor after he was fouled by a defender, although contact was minimal.
Balls issued a strenuous denial over claims he had dived for a penalty:
"Eamonn, the press are saying I went down easy, who lost 3-0, bit of sour grapes. The referee said to me ‘stonewall penalty’ straight away, that was confirmed by the FA-approved linesman, who, as it happens, turns out to be a Labour councillor in Oxfordshire. We’re keeping that quiet. Definitely a penalty."
And the opposition's goalscoring hero basked in the glory of his double when quizzed about the match by Sky's Eamonn Holmes on Monday morning.
"What was the score? Labour 3, Press 0, and I scored two goals. Retire? I'm going on and on!" he proclaimed.
Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby Football Match
The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester(01 of16)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (L) celebrates scoring a goal with Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester(02 of16)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (L) celebrates scoring a goal with Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester(03 of16)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls makes an attack on the goal during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester(04 of16)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (R) celebrates scoring a goal with Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester(05 of16)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls scores a goal during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester(06 of16)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (L) and Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham share a joke before the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Labour Annual Conference 2012(07 of16)
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls challenges goalkeeper Kiran Stacey at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Labour Annual Conference 2012(08 of16)
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls climbs over a fence after retrieving the ball at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Labour Annual Conference 2012(09 of16)
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls is fouled at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Labour Annual Conference 2012(10 of16)
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls jumps to win a header at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester. (credit:PA)
The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester(11 of16)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls makes an attack on the goal during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester(12 of16)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (R) and Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham take on refreshment during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Labour Annual Conference 2012(13 of16)
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Labour Annual Conference 2012(14 of16)
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls celebrates with shadow health secretary Andy Burnham after scoring at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Labour Annual Conference 2012(15 of16)
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester. (credit:PA)
Labour Annual Conference 2012(16 of16)
Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester. (credit:PA)