A battling Latics came back defeated from Teesside after Jeremie Aliadiere scored the only goal of the game in the first half. Boro took the lead when the former Arsenal was fed by an accurate Stewart Downing long pass and his lobbed shot at the near post beat Chris Kirkland.

Despite having more shots on target, Latics were unable to get back on level terms even though they fought hard in the second half. But they came very close to salvaging a point on 76 minutes when Emile Heskey connected to substitute Jason Koumas' free-kick and it took a brilliant save by Boro 'keeper Mark Schwarzer to tip the ball over the bar from six yards.

Koumas had replaced debutant Marlon King early in the second half who started up front with Marcus Bent and Heskey as Steve Bruce opted to play three strikers on the pitch. Wigan's new signing had displayed some good touches before the Latics boss was forced to shuffle the pack as Boro clung on to slender lead.

Latics had tested Schwarzer with a long range shot by Wilson Palacios after a quarter-of-an-hours play, whilst Bent was also denied by the Australian shot stopper from 25-yards just before the half-hour mark.

Heskey was a real threat in the air as he almost capitalised on a Kevin Kilbane corner, and he headed over the bar with ten minutes before the end of the first half. The England striker was eager to impress in front of the watching eyes of new national team boss Fabio Capello.

Latics had weathered more Boro pressure but they came out desperate to get back in the game in the second period, with Paul Scharner producing an impressive performance in defence, and the Austrian headed over the bar on 53 minutes.

The Teessiders continually conceded free kicks in the second period as they wished the clock down, but Koumas nearly took advantage as he threatened on 67 minutes but his shot was blocked by the solid Boro defender David Wheater, and the Welshman also had a half-volley saved.

Boro had started the brighter of the two and Kirkland was forced to make an impressive save after six minutes from the striker Tuncay Sanli, tipping a twelve yard shot around the post. The Turk had to replaced after 15 minutes by Mido after suffering a hamstring injury. The home team also spurned the chance to double their lead on the stroke of half-time after David Wheater headed over from Downing's cross.

Although Latics made Boro work very hard for their win, it certainly doesn't help our own matters in the league. Thankfully it's only a few days until the weekend when West Ham will be visitors to the JJB Stadium.

LATICS: Kirkland; Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane; Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Heskey; King (Koumas 53), Bent (Sibierski 75).

UNUSED SUBS: Pollitt, Taylor, Boyce.

BOOKING: Heskey

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Young, Huth, Wheater, Grounds, O'Neil, Arca, Rochemback, Downing (Cattermole 88), Aliadiere (Johnson 71), Sanli (Mido 34)

UNUSED SUBS: Turnbull, Riggott.

GOALS: Aliadiere 19

REFEREE: Rob Styles

ATTENDANCE: 22,963