Rob Styles brings the game to an end with Middlesbrough collecting all three points thanks to a dogged second half display, rebuffing wave after wave of Wigan attack to pull themselves five points clear of the drop zone as Wigan drop into it.
90
Rochemback floats a freekick into the Wigan penalty area but its straight to Kirkland who gathers and distributes it quickly.
90
Kilbane floats a ball into the area which Sibierski knocks back to Koumas, the Welsh midfielders shot is closed down very well by two Boro defenders as the home side hang on.
90
The fourth official indicates their wil be four minutes of added on time.
88
Substitution
Stewart Downing is forced off through injury and is replaced by Lee Cattermole.
84
The boro bench is up in arms after spoting Sibierski kicking out at Huth who goes down, but the referee and linesman fail to spot the incident as it all gets very heated here at the Riverside.
84
Yellow Card
Emile Heskey talks himself into a booking.
83
Michael Brown hammers a shot at goal which looks to be on target but Young throws himself infront of the ball to block it brilliantly, Boro under some real pressure.
82
Very tense down on the touch line with Bruce exchanging words with the Boro bench over a number of decision's that went Wigans way.
78
Koumas swings in another corner which Boro deal with but can't follow it up and Koumas fires in another cross which Sibierski heads wide.
77
Koumas with a brilliant freekick finds Heskey whose header cannons off the bar thanks to the finger tips of Schwarzer who produces a brilliant save to turn it onto the bar before Mido turns it behind.
77
Koumas swings in a corner for Wigan which Mido does well to defend, but Boro can't clear their lines as Palacios is brought down in a dangerous position, 25 yards from goal.
74
Substitution
Antone Sibierski comes on to replace Marcus Bent who has had a quiet night.
70
Substitution
Adam Johnson comes on to replace Middlesbroughs goalscorer Jeremie Aliadiere who looks pretty tired.
68
Koumas tries his luck from long range and Schwarzer is forced to tip the shot behind with a good save.
64
O'Neill swings a frist time cross into the penalty area and Bramble nearly makes another mistake, sticking out a leg and nearly turning it past Kirkland who does well to react and grab the ball.
60
The game has certainly dropped in quality and it has become a real basement battle, low on quality but high on passion.
54
Kilbane launches a long throw into the penalty area which Scharner manages to flick on but can't find ablue and white shirt, Schwarzer coming off the line to claim well.
53
Substitution
Marlon King's debut ends fairly early and is replaced by Jason Koumas.
52
Kilbane foats in another good corner and finds Heskey who had timed his run well, climbing above everyone to head it just inches wide.
49
O'Neil plays in Downing down the left who fizzes a ball across the face of goal looking for just a touch from Aliadiere who can't quiet reach the ball as it continues on its path across the six yard box.
49
Palacios clips a ball into the penalty area looking for the run of Bent but Young does well to nod it away at full stretch as Wigan start the half brightly.
Second half
The second half gets underway with Wigan hoping to get back into the game, Middlesbrough may rue those missed chances later on.
Half time
Half time whistle goes and Boro lead at the break after a sparkling opening 20 minutes and should be futher ahead but Wigan have worked their way back into the game as the half went on.
45
Downing swings in a great freekick from out wide and finds Wheater who can only get under the ball and head it up into te air and over the bar from 7 yards out.
44
Dowing does well to rob a Wigan defender of the ball, laying it off to Arce whose shot was blocked, the rebound falling to Mido whose effort is poor, bobbling across the penalty area and out for a Wigan throw-in.
43
Kilbane fires in another corner which travels a long way across the face of goal before Young heads it upfield.
41
Downing swings in a freekick from wide on the left ino the Wigan box but Scharner gets up well to head it away from danger.
35
Kilbane whips in a corner from the right towards the near post which is flicked on by king for Heskey who heads the ball straight into the ground, sending it up and over the bar.
34
Substitution
Sanli Tuncay is forced off with a injury which is a real shame for Boro as he has been electric tonight, Mido comes on to replace him.
32
Kilbane whips in a freekick from wide on the left but its an awful delivery as the ball bounces across the Boro penalty area and goes out for a goal kick.
30
Kilbane has a go from a freekick 25 yards from goal but can only hammer it into the Boro wall and the home side can clear it away.
27
Wheater fails to clear a long ball from Wigan which falls to Bent, the Wigan striker taking on the shot first time from 30 yards and stinging the palms of Schwarzer who gathers the ball at the second attempt.
26
Kilbane floats in a corner for Wign and Schwarzer does well to come through a crowd of players and claim the ball under pressure.
24
Schwarzer is nearly caught out by Heskey who takes a little too long to control a back pass and nearly smashes the ball into the on-rushing Heskey but managing to miss the England forward as Boro survive a real scare.
22
Aliadiere does well to control Downing's pass before laying it back to Downing whose shot is going wide but is nearly turned in by Tuncay, the ball just flying inches wide of Kirkland's post.
19
Goal
Middlesbrough break the deadlock thanks to Aliadiere's first goal at the Riverside, the French forward latching onto Downing's brilliant chipped through ball, sprinting away towards goal before firing it past Kirkland at his near post.
16
Palacios tries his luck from a fair way out and his shot takes a free deflections before Schwarzer can save well low to his right.
15
Tuncay and Aliadiere play a lovely one-two with Aliadiere setting up Tuncay who from 15 yards can only smash the ball wide of the target, Boro should really be leading by now, a shocking miss by Tuncay.
12
Young whips in a cross for Aliadiere but the French striker is between to the ball by Kirkland who claims it well.
11
Boro take a quick short corner but its too quick for Rochemback who tries to play the ball back to Downing but can only knock it out of play for a goal kick.
10
Dowing floats in the corner which Bent can only head straight back to him before Boro force another corner.
10
Tuncay plays in Downing down the left who drives towards goal before trying to cut the ball back for Aliadiere and Tuncay but Scharner does well to turn it behind for a Boro corner.
7
Downing's corner swings out towards Rochemback who attempts to bring it down on the edge of the penalty area but Wigan manage to clear it away.
6
Tuncay goes on a magical run through the Wigan defence, cutting into the penalty area past Bramble and Scharner before trying to hammer it past Kirland who turns it behind for a corner with a good save.
4
Kilbane floats in the first corner of the game towards Heskey but the Irish midfielder over hits the ball and its flies behind the goal for a Boro goalkick.
3
King swings in a cross which catches out Huth and the german defender is inadvertantly hands Wigan the first corner of the game.
1
Tuncay tries to chip the ball forward for Aliadiere to chase but the Turkish forward puts too much on the clever pass and it bounces through to Kirkland.
Kickoff
Referee Rob Styles gets this six pointer underway here at the Riverside under the watchful eye of the new England manager Faboi Capello as both sides look to impress and pick up a vital three points.
Wigans 100th game in the Premier League is marked by the debut of £5million signing Marlon King. Other new signing Erik Edman doesnt make the squad as Wigan look to leapfrog Boro in the league.
Middlesbrough welcome back Tuncay Sanli and Gary ONeil for this crucial relegation battle. But Emanuel Pogatez is out with an ankle injury and teenager Jonathan Grounds takes his place.
Middlesbrough
Wigan Athletic
Full time
Rob Styles brings the game to an end with Middlesbrough collecting all three points thanks to a dogged second half display, rebuffing wave after wave of Wigan attack to pull themselves five points clear of the drop zone as Wigan drop into it.
Rochemback floats a freekick into the Wigan penalty area but its straight to Kirkland who gathers and distributes it quickly.
Kilbane floats a ball into the area which Sibierski knocks back to Koumas, the Welsh midfielders shot is closed down very well by two Boro defenders as the home side hang on.
The fourth official indicates their wil be four minutes of added on time.
Substitution
Stewart Downing is forced off through injury and is replaced by Lee Cattermole.
The boro bench is up in arms after spoting Sibierski kicking out at Huth who goes down, but the referee and linesman fail to spot the incident as it all gets very heated here at the Riverside.
Yellow Card
Emile Heskey talks himself into a booking.
Michael Brown hammers a shot at goal which looks to be on target but Young throws himself infront of the ball to block it brilliantly, Boro under some real pressure.
Very tense down on the touch line with Bruce exchanging words with the Boro bench over a number of decision's that went Wigans way.
Koumas swings in another corner which Boro deal with but can't follow it up and Koumas fires in another cross which Sibierski heads wide.
Koumas with a brilliant freekick finds Heskey whose header cannons off the bar thanks to the finger tips of Schwarzer who produces a brilliant save to turn it onto the bar before Mido turns it behind.
Koumas swings in a corner for Wigan which Mido does well to defend, but Boro can't clear their lines as Palacios is brought down in a dangerous position, 25 yards from goal.
Substitution
Antone Sibierski comes on to replace Marcus Bent who has had a quiet night.
Substitution
Adam Johnson comes on to replace Middlesbroughs goalscorer Jeremie Aliadiere who looks pretty tired.
Koumas tries his luck from long range and Schwarzer is forced to tip the shot behind with a good save.
O'Neill swings a frist time cross into the penalty area and Bramble nearly makes another mistake, sticking out a leg and nearly turning it past Kirkland who does well to react and grab the ball.
The game has certainly dropped in quality and it has become a real basement battle, low on quality but high on passion.
Kilbane launches a long throw into the penalty area which Scharner manages to flick on but can't find ablue and white shirt, Schwarzer coming off the line to claim well.
Substitution
Marlon King's debut ends fairly early and is replaced by Jason Koumas.
Kilbane foats in another good corner and finds Heskey who had timed his run well, climbing above everyone to head it just inches wide.
O'Neil plays in Downing down the left who fizzes a ball across the face of goal looking for just a touch from Aliadiere who can't quiet reach the ball as it continues on its path across the six yard box.
Palacios clips a ball into the penalty area looking for the run of Bent but Young does well to nod it away at full stretch as Wigan start the half brightly.
Second half
The second half gets underway with Wigan hoping to get back into the game, Middlesbrough may rue those missed chances later on.
Half time
Half time whistle goes and Boro lead at the break after a sparkling opening 20 minutes and should be futher ahead but Wigan have worked their way back into the game as the half went on.
Downing swings in a great freekick from out wide and finds Wheater who can only get under the ball and head it up into te air and over the bar from 7 yards out.
Dowing does well to rob a Wigan defender of the ball, laying it off to Arce whose shot was blocked, the rebound falling to Mido whose effort is poor, bobbling across the penalty area and out for a Wigan throw-in.
Kilbane fires in another corner which travels a long way across the face of goal before Young heads it upfield.
Downing swings in a freekick from wide on the left ino the Wigan box but Scharner gets up well to head it away from danger.
Kilbane whips in a corner from the right towards the near post which is flicked on by king for Heskey who heads the ball straight into the ground, sending it up and over the bar.
Substitution
Sanli Tuncay is forced off with a injury which is a real shame for Boro as he has been electric tonight, Mido comes on to replace him.
Kilbane whips in a freekick from wide on the left but its an awful delivery as the ball bounces across the Boro penalty area and goes out for a goal kick.
Kilbane has a go from a freekick 25 yards from goal but can only hammer it into the Boro wall and the home side can clear it away.
Wheater fails to clear a long ball from Wigan which falls to Bent, the Wigan striker taking on the shot first time from 30 yards and stinging the palms of Schwarzer who gathers the ball at the second attempt.
Kilbane floats in a corner for Wign and Schwarzer does well to come through a crowd of players and claim the ball under pressure.
Schwarzer is nearly caught out by Heskey who takes a little too long to control a back pass and nearly smashes the ball into the on-rushing Heskey but managing to miss the England forward as Boro survive a real scare.
Aliadiere does well to control Downing's pass before laying it back to Downing whose shot is going wide but is nearly turned in by Tuncay, the ball just flying inches wide of Kirkland's post.
Goal
Middlesbrough break the deadlock thanks to Aliadiere's first goal at the Riverside, the French forward latching onto Downing's brilliant chipped through ball, sprinting away towards goal before firing it past Kirkland at his near post.
Palacios tries his luck from a fair way out and his shot takes a free deflections before Schwarzer can save well low to his right.
Tuncay and Aliadiere play a lovely one-two with Aliadiere setting up Tuncay who from 15 yards can only smash the ball wide of the target, Boro should really be leading by now, a shocking miss by Tuncay.
Young whips in a cross for Aliadiere but the French striker is between to the ball by Kirkland who claims it well.
Boro take a quick short corner but its too quick for Rochemback who tries to play the ball back to Downing but can only knock it out of play for a goal kick.
Dowing floats in the corner which Bent can only head straight back to him before Boro force another corner.
Tuncay plays in Downing down the left who drives towards goal before trying to cut the ball back for Aliadiere and Tuncay but Scharner does well to turn it behind for a Boro corner.
Downing's corner swings out towards Rochemback who attempts to bring it down on the edge of the penalty area but Wigan manage to clear it away.
Tuncay goes on a magical run through the Wigan defence, cutting into the penalty area past Bramble and Scharner before trying to hammer it past Kirland who turns it behind for a corner with a good save.
Kilbane floats in the first corner of the game towards Heskey but the Irish midfielder over hits the ball and its flies behind the goal for a Boro goalkick.
King swings in a cross which catches out Huth and the german defender is inadvertantly hands Wigan the first corner of the game.
Tuncay tries to chip the ball forward for Aliadiere to chase but the Turkish forward puts too much on the clever pass and it bounces through to Kirkland.
Kickoff
Referee Rob Styles gets this six pointer underway here at the Riverside under the watchful eye of the new England manager Faboi Capello as both sides look to impress and pick up a vital three points.
Awaiting Kickoff
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, King, Heskey, Bent
Awaiting Kickoff
Wigans 100th game in the Premier League is marked by the debut of £5million signing Marlon King. Other new signing Erik Edman doesnt make the squad as Wigan look to leapfrog Boro in the league.
Awaiting Kickoff
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Huth, Wheater, Grounds, O'Neil, Arca, Rochemback, Downing, Aliadiere, Sanli
Awaiting Kickoff
Middlesbrough welcome back Tuncay Sanli and Gary ONeil for this crucial relegation battle. But Emanuel Pogatez is out with an ankle injury and teenager Jonathan Grounds takes his place.