We deserved the break - Aliadiere

Aliadiere's winner was his first goal in the league this season

Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere believes they were due a lucky break after his late winner snatched all three points against Wigan on Saturday.

Boro were without a win in four matches going into the game and Aliadiere was relieved to see his last-gasp effort end their losing streak.

"We were really desperate to win today," he told BBC Tees.

"We have been conceding in the last few minutes and it makes a nice change to score, it was special."

Aliadiere's calm finish was his first goal for the Teessiders in the league since the 8-1 hammering of Manchester City on the final day of last season.

He also scored in January's visit of the Latics to the Riverside but admitted personal glory comes second to the success of the team.

"I saw the ball go in and the first thing I did was check I was not offside," he said.

"I don't know what it is but it doesn't matter if it's Wigan or not but I'm just happy we got the three points and won today."

The 25-year-old joined Boro from Arsenal in June 2007 for a fee in the region of £2m.