Middlesbrough 1-1 Wigan

By John May

Schwarzer's first-half heroics kept Boro alive

Middlesbrough had keeper Mark Schwarzer to thank for a point against Wigan.

Emanuel Pogatetz's foul on fellow Austrian Paul Scharner saw Henri Camara fire Wigan ahead from the penalty spot.

Wigan would have sealed victory before the break but for Schwarzer, whose saves from Camara, Scharner and Leighton Baines kept Boro in touch.

Yakubu converted James Morrison's cross to salvage a draw against a Wigan side who had keeper Chris Kirkland taken to hospital after a blow on the head.

Interview: Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate

Interview: Wigan boss Paul Jewell

Wigan had to ride out a spell of early pressure as Boro broke quickly from the blocks and forced a series of corners.

Stewart Downing was inches away from making contact in front of goal as Morrison curled in an inviting left-footed cross form the right.

Boro's early storm blew out and it was Wigan who came closest to opening the scoring, with Scharner seeing his header from a corner brilliantly saved by Schwarzer as the Australian denied Austrian.

Kirkland was unable to continue despite treatment

At the other end, Kirkland pulled off a sharp save to deny Yakubu's sharp header.

Wigan were gifted the lead on 24 minutes by a ludicrous piece of defending from Pogatetz, who found himself the wrong side of Scharner as Josip Skoko's cross came in.

His tug on his fellow Austrian gave Camara the chance to send Schwarzer the wrong way from the penalty spot for Wigan's first conversion out of three spot-kicks this season.

Boro were ragged at the back and but for Schwarzer Wigan would have been home and hosed by half-time.

The big Aussie reacted brilliantly to deny Camara from point-blank range and then went full-length to claw away Baines' shot.

Grateful at their reprieve, Boro stirred themselves and Kirkland produced another good save as Morrison latched on to Downing's deep cross.

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Kirkland took a blow to the head as he claimed a cross among the flying boots and needed lengthy treatment before he could continue.

Kirkland was taken to hospital at half time, and replaced at the start of the second half by Mike Pollitt.

Boro also made a change, with Pogatetz - facing a suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season - replaced by Stuart Parnaby.

Pollitt was called into early action, as Yakubu burst through but his finish was that of a player low on confidence and the Wigan keeper was grateful to clutch a weak shot to his midriff.

Boro were building a head of steam, but Emerson Boyce and Fitz Hall were outstanding in the heart of Wigan's defence.

With the front door shut, Boro went around the side entrance for their equaliser at Wigan eventually bowed to pressure.

Viduka held the ball up before spreading play wide to Morrison whose low cross was converted from close-range by Yakubu.

Neither side were content with one point, but Boro came closest to claiming all three when Abel Xavier fired over from close range.

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Boro boss Gareth Southgate on keeper Mark Schwarzer:
"He made a couple of world-class saves to keep us in the game and I wouldn't swap him for any other keeper in the league.

"It's not just the saves he makes, but also his presence, and he comes for crosses other keepers wouldn't think of.

"But it was one-way traffic in the second half and we created any number of chances."

Wigan boss Paul Jewell claimed his players were affected by Chris Kirkland's injury:
"He went into delayed shock at half time, and I've never seen anything like that.

"There were six or seven paramedics around him, and I was trying to keep our players calm as he was taken to hospital.

"They were obviously concerned about him in the second half, but he thankfully appears to be okay."

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Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz (Parnaby 46), Taylor, Morrison, Boateng, Arca, Downing, Viduka, Yakubu.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Rochemback, Christie, Johnson.

Booked: Pogatetz, Viduka.

Goal: Yakubu 67.

Wigan: Kirkland (Pollitt 46), Wright, Boyce, Hall, Baines, Cotterill (Valencia 57), Scharner, Skoko, Kilbane, Camara, McCulloch, Valencia (Johansson 68).
Subs Not Used: Landzaat, Webster.

Booked: McCulloch.

Goal: Camara 24 pen.

Att: 23,638.

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).