Antoine Sibierski netted the only goal in the game to give Latics theirs first victory of the new season

Chris Hutchings made just one change from the team that lost at Goodison Park at the weekend, with goal scorer Antonie Sibierski coming in for Caleb Folan to partner Emile Heskey in attack.

The Frenchman had a brilliant home debut after he netted the only goal of the game ten minutes into the second half. Antonio Valencia's lowly struck drive squirmed through Boro 'keeper Mark Schwarzer's hands, and Siberski was in the right place at the right time to tuck home the rebound from point blank range. It's his second goal after he netted the consolation in a 2-1 defeat at Everton last weekend.

The former Manchester City and Newcastle man nearly scored after just four minutes when Denny Landzaat laid off the him, but the ball flew inches over the bar from the twenty-yard effort. The only glitch on the hit man's night was that he went off with cramp eleven minutes after his goal and was replaced by Julius Aghahowa.

This was a deserved win for Chris Hutchings' men as Boro tried to break up Wigan's rhythm, but Latics definitely had more chances throughout the match.

Half-way thorough the first period, Heskey chipped ball across the box where Landzaat was waiting, and the Dutchman killed the ball dead and easily made space for himself but saw his shot with the outside of his boot curl just wide of the post.

Boro 'keeper Mark Schwarzer was forced into a brilliant save when Arca clumsily fouled Mario Melchiot to concede the free kick. The energetic and hard working Jason Koumas took it which looked like heading into the top corner, but he was denied.

Antonio Valencia ghosted past his marker and he slid the ball just inches past the far post, and Paul Scharner latched onto a loose ball forcing the Boro 'keeper into another save. The Austrian looked dangerous at times as ran forward and he saw his sweetly hit volley go agonisingly wide with eleven minutes still to play.

Latics went closest to doubling their lead in stoppage time when Valencia broke away on the counter attack and teed up Scharner, who hit the side netting from just inside the penalty area.

At the other end of the pitch, Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli made a mess of two shots from inside the box, but Latics captain Mario Melchiot made a brilliant tackle inside the box to deny Stewart Downing as the Boro winger was shaping to shoot. The Dutchman nearly got on the score sheet himself in the second half as he headed over from Koumas's free-kick inside a crowded penalty area.

Boro's best chances came from Downing during the second half as they searched for an equaliser. The left-winger twice drove a stinging shot across the box, one of which smacked Chris Kirkland's near post, but Boro never really tested the Latics 'keeper.

It was a comfortable night overall for Latics, and if they show the same determination for the rest of the season, then they needn't worry about any last day miracles.

Latics: Kirkland; Melchiot (c), Bramble, Granqvist, Kilbane; Valencia, Landzaat, Scharner, Koumas; Sibierski (Aghahowa 66), Heskey.

Unused Subs: Pollitt, Hall, Skoko, Cotterill.

Goals: Sibierski 55.

Booked: Kilbane.

Boro: Schwarzer; Davies, Riggott, Wheater, Arca; Aliadiere (Cattermole 87), Taylor ,Downing; Sanli (Johnson 70), Yakubu (Dong Gook 66).

Unused Subs: Jones, Hines.

Booked: Tuncay. Johnson, Arca.

Referee: Steve Tanner

Assistants: A. Watts and R. West

Fourth Official: A. Wiley

Attendance: 14,007