Jeremie Aliadiere struck a crucial winner for Middlesbrough in last night's 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.

Aliadiere collected Stewart Downing's chipped pass and beat Chris Kirkland at the goalkeeper's near post.

Tuncay Sanli and David Wheater both wasted clear chances in an opening 45 minutes thoroughly dominated by Boro.

But they were poor thereafter and Mark Schwarzer expertly saved Emile Heskey's header to deny Wigan a point.

The win was Boro's first at the Riverside since they beat Arsenal there on 9 December.