Patrick Bamford's first-half strike proved to be the difference at the Riverside Stadium, as Middlesbrough overcome Wigan Athletic 1-0 to climb to the top of the Championship table.
The game failed to truly spring into life throughout, with the Englishman's deflected effort from the edge of the box on 20 minutes the only real moment of magic.
Wigan, who remain five points from safety at the wrong end of the table, had just one shot on target - substitute Marc-Antoine Fortune's effort being pushed aside by Dimi Konstantopolous shortly after the hour mark.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded in the North-East with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
MIDDLESBROUGH XI: Konstantopoulos, Kalas, Woodgate, Gibson, Friend, Adomah, Clayton, Leadbitter, Reach, Vossen, Bamford
WIGAN ATHLETIC XI: Al Habsi, Maguire, McClean, Pennant, Kim, Boyce, Bong, Clarke, Perch, Murphy, Pearce
MIDDLESBROUGH SUBS: Ripley, Kike, Tomlin, Whitehead, Amorebieta, Tiendalli, Forshaw
WIGAN ATHLETIC SUBS: Carson, McCann, Ojo, Barnett, Fortune, Waghorn, Kvist
Here come the teams! It's @Boro v Latics at the Riverside in the @SkyBetChamp! COME ON LATICS!! #wafc pic.twitter.com/QEv0S4iLor
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) April 3, 2015
7 - Patrick Bamford has had a hand in seven goals in his last seven games at the Riverside Stadium (six goals, one assist). Potent.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 3, 2015
MIDDLESBROUGH SUBS: Ripley, Kike, Tomlin, Whitehead, Amorebieta, Tiendalli, Forshaw
WIGAN ATHLETIC SUBS: Carson, McCann, Ojo, Barnett, Fortune, Waghorn, Kvist
Today's attendance is 23,082 including 457 Wigan fans. Thank-you all for your support. #UTB http://t.co/nLqu7imYZU
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) April 3, 2015