Injuries forced Southgate to call in Chris Riggott and bring Jon Grounds back from a loan spell at Norwich but the result was a rare clean sheet and three points thanks to Jeremie Aliadiere's late winner.

Southgate said: "We were excellent across the back five today. It's the type of game where centre-halves get the opportunity to stand out and they certainly did that today.

"Our mentality going into the game was different and you could sense a determination about them. The irony is we've played much better football in our last two games and taken nothing.

"We said we had to keep doing the right things which we did defensively, then take our chances when they come. We managed to finish one of them today and that was the important thing."

Southgate also paid tribute to Aliadiere, who notched his first league goal of the season at the crucial moment and deflected some of the criticism which has been building about his recent performances.

"It was important for Jeremie to get off the mark and getting the winner is always special," said Southgate.

"Jeremie is always a threat but sometimes players don't have enough belief in themselves - today they had that belief."

Wigan boss Steve Bruce declared his side had been "well and truly mugged" but admitted he could have few complaints after his side failed to take advantage of a series of chances.

Bruce said: "It's not quite right but often in football you don't get what you deserve. I don't think our 'keeper's touched the ball, let alone made a save, but there you go.

"There was 0-0 written all over it once we failed to score in the first half-hour. We needed to score and unfortunately we didn't manage to do that, and we've been caught with a horrible sucker punch at the end."

Bruce admitted his side's defeat was particularly disappointing in the context of their fine recent form, with sixth place an at least temporary possibility had they claimed three more points today.

Bruce added: "We had gone six or seven unbeaten and I think the whole nation had watched us play live and think what a good team we were. We started well and caused plenty of problems but it's always the same the longer it goes.

"The way Boro defended in the first half-hour was a credit to them, especially the two centre-backs, who I thought had outstanding games. It's a disappointing result but sometimes these things happen."