Kapo's late strike hands Bruce a lifeline

The Ivory Coast midfielder's two goals, including a superb winner, lifted much of the gloom that had hung as a dark cloud over Birmingham this season, particularly as a £50million takeover is threatening Bruce's future after six years in charge.

In an emotional celebration at the end, the Birmingham squad celebrated with Bruce on the pitch as home fans chanted: "There is only one Steve Bruce."

That was certainly over the top from supporters who a year ago were calling for his sacking or resignation but, combined with the players' reaction, it was a signal clearly directed at Chinese businessman Carson Yeung and his proposed buy-out of the Midlands club.

Yeung, who sat in the directors' box strategically behind owner, David Sullivan, has upset the Birmingham chief by refusing to confirm an extended contract for Bruce despite it being offered by the board before it stood down.

Sullivan was, in fact, so enraged by Yeung's attitude in the run-up to his visit yesterday, that he used two full pages of the club programme to explain his displeasure in detail.

How Yeung would have accepted such an aggressive stance will unfold over the next 24 hours, but it came nonetheless as a moral boost for Bruce who has been left quite shamefully uncertain about his future.

Bruce looked more relaxed than you would expect for a man who has been under so much pressure for so long.

He recognised Sullivan's support and said: "It was made for the sake of the club. We have to draw the line about where we are going to go in the future."

Sullivan has demanded a December deadline for the takeover and Bruce added: "Dave Sullivan has made all the big decision at this club for 14 years now, including six while I've been manager. He has never told me a lie. He shook my hand six months ago but things have been in abeyance since then.

"The club needs someone to take it forward to the next step — with or without me."

In fact, Bruce had his long-awaited meeting with Yeung last night. It lasted 30 minutes and Bruce said afterwards that he was happy with the talks but confirmed he had not discussed a new contract to remain as Birmingham manager.

That discussion will take place probably within the next 24 hours but Bruce said: "I'm happy to have these talks and happy with the outcome."

He discussed purely team matters with Yeung — particularly the strategy he believes Birmingham must adopt when the transfer window reopens in mid-season.

Wigan took the lead in the 23rd minute with Marcus Bent's opportunist strike after he had been set up by former Birmingham defender Mario Melchiot.

They lost it three minutes later thanks to Kapo's first goal — a penalty after hand ball by Paul Scharner.

Bent put Wigan ahead again in the 59th minute from Melchiot's cross after a misunderstanding between Stephen Kelly and goalkeeper Maik Taylor but then Liam Ridgewell's close-range 67th-minute equaliser set up a grandstand finish and Kapo struck the winner from 20 yards nine minutes from time. Kapo could yet prove to be the best £1.3million Bruce has spent when he signed him from Juventus in the summer and the manager said: "I had said to Kapo: 'I want you to take the penalties' before the game.

"I had a feeling we would get one.But then I thought: 'Did I make the right choice?' Thankfully he put it away.

"We have made defensive mistakes which we haven't done for weeks but we showed a lot of character and resilience to bounce back."

The appearance of another summer signing, Daniel De Ridder was also a boost for Bruce and augers well for Birmingham's future.

Wigan manager Chris Hutchings was disappointed.

He said: "We should have got something out of the game. Away from home we have let it slip. We have to make sure that we don't let that happen again.

"The lads gave it everything but we slacked off at the corner for the second goal and we allowed their man to turn and let in their third."