Paul Jewell's men must head to Sheffield United next week knowing even victory might not be enough to save them after their 1-0 loss and results elsewhere consigned them to the bottom three.

Jewell, who expressed his anger at the Premier League's failure to deduct points from relegation rivals West Ham this week, will have found the circumstances of this defeat just as hard to stomach.

Boro winger Stewart Downing appeared to slip whilst delivering his 29th minute free-kick and the ball fell short on the edge of the six-yard box only for Viduka to react quickest and prod it home.

But the sad fact for Jewell is that for the second consecutive week his side failed to fire under pressure and their top-flight future now rests on miracles both at Bramall Lane and Old Trafford.

Jewell had started the game in bullish fashion, making five changes to the side which had performed so pitifully against West Ham last week, including switching goalkeepers in favour of Mike Pollitt.

And his changes seemed to have been vindicated in a bright start in front of a vocal JJB Stadium crowd, with Emile Heskey aiming an early header goalwards and Leighton Baines flinging in a dangerous cross.

In the seventh minute Antonio Valencia round the back of the Boro defence and crossed for Julius Aghahowa in front of goal, but Jonathan Woodgate just got in first to prod the ball away.

But with Boro - who started the day still not mathematically safe themselves - offering virtually nothing in response, the longer Wigan failed to break through the more tension mounted.

Wigan almost made their breakthrough in the 17th minute when Taylor flung in a fine cross from deep on the right and McCulloch rose highest to beat Mark Schwarzer but see his header strike the bar.

But Boro snatched their scarcely deserved lead in the 29th minute in bizarre fashion, when Downing apparently slipped in the process of delivering his 25-yard free-kick into the box.

The move seemingly caught out everybody except Viduka, who noticed the ball dropping invitingly on the edge of the six-yard box and stole in to sweep it past Pollitt.

Viduka's goal ignited a poor game, with Heskey incurring the wrath of Emanuel Pogatetz for a late barge on Schwarzer, and a powerful long-range drive from Josip Skoko well blocked by Pogatetz.

Then with tension clearly mounting McCullough misconnected with another clear header in the visitors' box after another cross from Taylor.

But as Wigan's desperation mounted they left themselves open to the counter-attack and should have fallen further behind when Downing burst clear only to be denied by a fine block by Pollitt.

And five minutes into the second half Downing squandered an even better chance when he burst clear onto Julio Arca's delightful lofted through-ball but shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Moments later Viduka was inches away from connecting with a Fabio Rochemback free-kick into the Wigan box as the home side clearly began to struggle for composure at the back.

The Latics finally made an impression in the 52nd minute when Aghahowa seized on a loose ball in a crowded box but his snatched shot was easily saved by Schwarzer.

Then Valencia drove in a low shot which Schwarzer gathered at the second attempt before Andrew Davies headed a Downing corner just over the bar at the other end.

But as time ticked down as new from elsewhere became increasingly unfavourable, the Latics were unable to launch their required siege of the visitors' goal.

Ryan Taylor came close from a swirling free-kick 10 minutes from time while substitute Caleb Folan could only aim a weak header at Schwarzer three minutes later.

In typical end-of-season fashion, Pollitt ended the match in the opposite goalmouth desperately trying to snatch salvation for the Latics - but none was forthcoming.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell refused to direct more anger at West Ham striker Carlos Tevez.

Jewell said after the match: "We haven't got 35 points because of Carlos Tevez - it is down to us.

"If rules have been broken they (the Premier League) have dealt with it and whether I agree with it or not is irrelevant really. We can't blame Carlos Tevez or West Ham for being in this predicament."

Jewell insisted he had not given up hope of fashioning a great escape with his side having to win at Sheffield United next week and hope West Ham lose at Old Trafford.

Jewell added: "We are battered and bruised but we are still breathing so maybe we can get up and fight back. The players showed tremendous effort but we didn't have the quality.

"We haven't had the rub of the green with referees' decisions but also we haven't been good enough. Now if we win next week it could feel like winning the League and Champions League rolled into one."

Boro boss Gareth Southgate expressed sympathy for Wigan's position and said his own club's experience in the past ought to have set a precedent for the Premier League's judgement this season.

Southgate said: "I don't think it can be right given what happened in the past when we were relegated with a points deduction.

"It is for people above managerial level to decide and to appeal, but it doesn't seem to be a just decision in my opinion."

Meanwhile Southgate expressed his hope that match-winner Mark Viduka will sign a new contract despite fielding offers from other clubs this summer.

Southgate is anxious to keep the Australian, who has a year remaining on his current deal but has asked for time before committing himself to the Riverside Stadium.

Southgate said: "Mark has made a huge contribution for us and I am very grateful for what he has done .

"It is not just his goals but his hold-up play, his assists and his presence. He has been a man on the field for us and you need leaders.

"We are still talking with him and he knows how much we want him to stay. Now that we are secure in this division hopefully it has made things a bit clearer."