MIDDLESBROUGH, England (AFP) - Jeremie Aliadiere broke his goal-drought to ease Middlesbrough's relegation fears as his clinical strike secured a 1-0 win against Wigan on Tuesday.

Aliadiere's only previous goal for Middlesbrough had come way back in October, but the French striker finally got back on target in a vital relegation tussle at the Riverside Stadium.

His first half goal was enough to end a three-match winless run for Gareth Southgate's side and lift them five points clear of the bottom three.

Wigan were left to rue their lack of cutting despite fielding Marlon King for the first time since his five million pounds signing from Watford.

Steve Bruce's side are third bottom of the table after losing their last three matches and face a long struggle to avoid relegation.

Bruce had taken a bold gamble by selecting a three-man attack with Emile Heskey and Marcus Bent alongside debutant striker King.

Brazilian striker Afonso Alves was at the Riverside for a medical before kick-off as Middlesbrough try to finally complete his protracted transfer from Heerenveen.

His new team-mates couldn't have failed to impress him in a blistering opening.

Aliadiere was denied a tap-in by Paul Scharner's last-ditch block, then Tuncay Sanli jinked into the area and got past Scharner before clipping a shot that Chris Kirkland managed to push wide.

Wigan were struggled to stem the tide of Middlesbrough attacks and the breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute.

Aliadiere latched onto a long pass over the visitors defence and finished in style to claim only his second goal since his pre-season move from Arsenal.

There was no chance of the hosts sitting on their lead and Tuncay went close as he turned Stewart Downing's cross narrowly off-target.

Bent's long range effort brought Mark Schwarzer into action for the first time but that was as good as it got for Bruce's team.

Middlesbrough lost Tuncay to injury before the break but it didn't disrupt their flow and Mido scuffed wide before David Wheater headed over from Downing's free-kick.

Wigan defender Titus Bramble almost made yet another costly mistake when he slid on Kirkland as he tried to deal with Gary O'Neil's cross but the keeper saved well.

Bruce's side had one final fling when Heskey rose to power a header goalwards in the closing minutes but Schwarzer produced a fine save to preserve Middlesbrough's win.