Aliadiere kept his calm to slide home a low shot past Chris Kirkland after Stewart Downing had nodded a cross from Adam Johnson into his path.

It was a bitterly disappointing end for Latics who had dominated play – the 89th minute goal being Boro's first on target of the match.

After doing much of the attacking in a goalless first half, Latics continue on the front foot after the interval.

Wilson Palacios lifted a 50th minute shot over the bar after Antonio Valencia's drive had been blocked by a defender and ran into the Honduran's path.

Emile Heskey, being watched by England manager Fabio Capello, wasn't far off target with a curling shot after Olivier Kapo's cross-field pass found him just outside the box.

At the other end, Jeremie Aliadiere found himself with a sight of goal on the hour mark, but Mario Melchiot got in a challenge, the ball rolling across to the box where Kirkland managed to reach it just ahead of substitute Didier Digard.

Substitute Jason Koumas, on for Kapo, almost broke the deadlock with a stunning solo effort in the 80th minute.

He weaved across the pitch from left to right before hitting a shot which goalkeeper Ross Turnbull dived to save.

Turnbull came to the visitors' rescue again four minutes later, saving from close quarters from Heskey after a long throw-in from Melchiot was headed on by Titus Bramble and then Henri Camara.

Latics were the better team in the first half, enjoying the lions' share of possession against a Boro side looking to end a run of four defeats.

They certainly had more of the chances, Palacios, Valencia and Zaki all going close to opening the scoring.

Capello was there to watch Heskey and Boro's Stewart Downing in action ahead of next week's World Cup qualifiers.

Heskey didn't disappoint, involved in much of Latics' forward play as a link between the midfield and attack.

It was his flicked header which found Palacios in space on the right side of the box with nine minutes on the clock.

The Honduran struck a low right-foot which beat keeper Russ Turnball but flashed inches wide of the far post.

Zaki then shot into the side-netting after Heskey had helped on a Valencia free-kick from the right-wing.

Valencia drove a 25-yard shot over the bar as he attempted a repeat of last Sunday's blockbuster against Manchester City.

Then a clever Palacios pass picked out Zaki in the box, the Egyptian shooting over when perhaps a reurn ball to Palacios looked the better bet.

Boro came close to breaking the stalemate in the 32nd minute, Mido's cross headed inches wide by David Wheater.

Zaki and Lee Cattermole were then booked within a couple of minutes of each other for fouls on Mohammed Shawky, much to the displeasure of the home fans.

Three minutes before the interval, Zaki's shot from the edge of the box was finger-tipped behind by Turnbull.


Latics: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kapo, Zaki, Heskey. Subs: Pollitt, Taylor, Brown, de Ridder, Kilbane, Koumas, Camara.

Boro: Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Riggott, Grounds, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Shawky, Downing, Alves, Mido. Subs: Jones, Digard, Emnes, A Johnson, J Johnson, Walker, Craddock.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Leeds)

For a full match report, reaction and pictures, seeing the Wigan Evening Post on Monday and the Wigan Observer, on sale on Tuesday