AFTER watching his side slip into the bottom three, Wigan boss Paul Jewell vented his anger towards referee Mark Clattenburg.

Jewell was far from happy that Mark Viduka's goal was allowed to stand after Stewart Downing inadvertently touched the ball twice from the free-kick that led to the 29th minute strike.

The win for Boro guaranteed Premiership safety, but it leaves Wigan deep in the relegation mire.

And Jewell was quick to point the finger of blame at Chester-le-Street whistle-blower Clattenburg. The Latics boss revealed the official was aware that Downing struck the ball twice, but decided against a re-take.

The incident evoked memories of Middlesbrough's 2004 Carling Cup win when Bolo Zenden scored from the penalty spot after slipping and hitting the ball with both feet.

"I don't think the free-kick should have been given in the first place," fumed Jewell. "When it was taken, Downing kicked the ball twice.

"The referee said to the fourth official later that he thought he kicked it twice."

Jewell was also incensed by Clattenburg's decision not to award Wigan a penalty when there were appeals for handball against Andrew Taylor.

"We certainly didn't get the rub of the green," added Jewell. "I've looked at the penalty incident again and it was a penalty.

"But all credit to Middlesbrough. They had a right good go at it.

"They did the Premiership proud. We huffed and puffed and we didn't have the quality."

And, while Jewell was left to bemoan Wigan's plight, Boro boss Gareth Southgate felt his side were due a bit of luck.

"We were fortunate with the goal," he admitted. "Mark Viduka is the only player who has reacted to it.

"We haven't had too many rubs of the green go our way but I think our attitude and our commitment warranted it.

"Things haven't always gone our way all season. There was the penalty we didn't get at Old Trafford. But this has made up for lost time."

With Yakubu not included after struggling with a virus, Dong Gook Lee was handed only his second Boro start.

Southgate felt it was as good a time as ever to give the South Korean a run out as he continues to find his feet in the English game.

"I've been wanting to hand him a start for a while," said Southgate. "Yakubu has been ill for a couple of days this week so this seemed a good opportunity.

"I thought that Dong-Gook was excellent for us. He gave us a different threat away from home and, as he adapts to the league, he will get stronger."