Malky Mackay is on course to register a victory in his first game in charge of Wigan Athletic as his side lead Middlesbrough 1-0 at the break thanks to Shaun Maloney's strike.
The Latics came within inches of taking the lead when Chris McCann was fouled on the edge of the area. Maloney took the free kick and lifted his effort over the wall, only to see his effort crash off the crossbar and go over.
Maloney did get his goal in the 24th minute when this time his free kick beat the outstretched hand of Dimitrios Konstantopoulos to find the top corner from just outside the area.
The visitors tried to get back into the game when Lee Tomlin pushed into the final third, and he teed up Adam Reach just outside the box, but the midfielder's drive went just wide of the woodwork.
Simon Sinclair
