Thankfully Maynor Figueroa had different ideas as he smashed in a 25 yard shot with his weaker right foot to seal all three points for the Latisc with just minutes left to play.
The build up to the game had been immense, thanks in no short part to Martinez labelling the game as a must win. It was on this website that we spoke of the need for supporters to get behind the team and push for the final nine games of the season.
One moment of frustration early in the first half aside, the supporters yesterday played a big part, particularly in the second half as the Latics pressed hard to break down a stubborn Birmingham defence.
Liam Ridgewell opened the scoring after just six minutes. Despite the goal being offside, referee Lee Probert allowed it to stand. This was only the first of a number of poor decisions made by the referee who had seemingly forgotten how to book Birmingham players.
Thankfully Mr Probert could not have too strong an influence on the game as the Latics shook off the shackles and started to play football.
The equaliser came after Ben Watson's pass inside the full back found the galloping Boyce who pulled it back for Cleverley to convert.
Things gradually improved throughout the game with each player giving 100% for the cause.
Conor Sammon and Hugo Rodallega came on mid-way through the second half as Roberto Martinez made a clear statement of intent.
Indeed Rodallega was unlucky to have a goal chalked off after his 50/50 challenge with Johnson who seemed desperate to hit the deck. Sammon meanwhile showed just how his pace and power will add another dimension to the Latics attack.
The day however belonged to the Latics fans as Maynor Figueroa sealed a deserved three points with his 25 yard rasper just mintues from full time.
As it happened Birmingham could well prove to be the turning point, and in particular Maynor Figueroa's last minute belter. There is a long way to go in the race for survival but the Latics have taken a big step in the right direction.
Here is the reaction of those involved.
Roberto Martinez
Technically he is an outstanding footballer and sometimes as a defender he doesn't get the credit he deserves. In the past we've seen him score a screamer at Stoke City and although he doesn't score many they're always special.
I was pleased to see him show that understanding of when to go forwards and support the attack and that strike was a real reward for his performance and the professionalism he shows on a daily basis.
We showed good composure throughout the second-half whereas we couldn't quite get into those dangerous positions during the first 45 minutes due to Birmingham's experience and work-rate.
But for 70 minutes it was a real joy to watch a group of players giving their lives to win a football match for Wigan Athletic. We keep repeating these moments and it's great for the players and fans to share these moments.
We're developing a real football philosophy here at Wigan Athletic and when the ball hit the back of the net I've never heard such emotion inside the DW Stadium before and we need to keep those emotions running until the end of the season.
I am full of pride after that performance because it was a difficult game and we knew beforehand of the importance of the three points and the importance of the occasion.
The game didn't start well for us going behind early on, but despite a little bit of anxiety the players kept playing their game and got the rewards through a fantastic equalising goal.
When you look back at that goal it symbolises what we aim to produce with the possession game we play. Then you see the character and determination from the team to make the second-half so one-sided and full of concentration to limit a dangerous Birmingham side and create chance after chance ourselves.
Sometimes you feel as though the opportunity isn't going to come, then you get two great opportunities from your left-back and it goes to show how each and every player wants to play a part in our success.
That was the overall feeling for today's game, we had a fully fit squad and even Hugo Rodallega, who couldn't train through the week with an injury, was desperate to be out there playing his part and that's the kind of spirit we have at this football club.
But the most pleasing aspect was that despite the importance of the occasion and despite the score-line a young side kept doing the right thing and playing the right way.
They relied upon their talent and were arrogant in the right way for long spells. They all deserve the credit they'll receive after the game and next we'll dust ourselves down ready for the next game against Tottenham Hotspur.
It was also good to get that result for the fans who took the atmosphere onto a different level in the second-half, and they can be proud having seen the club take another step towards achieving our aim.
We said throughout the week how we needed their voice and support and as always they were there for us when we needed them most, and I can't wait for that to be re-created against Spurs in a couple of weeks.
Maynor Figueroa
Today is a special day for fathers in Honduras, the goal and the win have made it extra-special for me. I am very proud to have scored and especially pleased that it won the game for us.
The ball came to me on the edge of the area and I just hit it. I was happy to see it go in and it was a great feeling, but more importantly I'm delighted that the goal won thegame for the team.
I'm not used to scoring goals with either my right or my left foot! It's just great to score any goal for the team!
I want to dedicate the goal to my sons, my father and my brothers. The goal and the win made the day even more memorable for me personally as a father.
It was a great day for us and also I hope a very happy one for our fans too. Now we must push on and get ourselves out of the relegation zone, using this confidence to continue winning games.
Alex McLeish
We started the game so well. When we conceded the goal, we kind of seemed to lose the plot. Figueroa, normally his right leg is for standing on. He threw his weight behind it and how it ended up in the net was an absolute mystery.
But just before he scored I felt we should have had a penalty. It would have been hard on Wigan for us to have won, but that happens throughout the course of a season.
You get some good luck and some bad luck - and we got some bad luck because how he doesn't see it was a pen, it was baffling.
The table
| Home | Away | Overall | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | GD |
| 1 | Manchester United | 30 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 64 | 30 | 63 | +34 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 29 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 30 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 29 | 17 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 59 | 29 | 58 | +30 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 29 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 45 | 25 | 53 | +20 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 28 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 51 | 24 | 51 | +27 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 29 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 22 | 24 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 41 | 34 | 49 | +7 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 30 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 41 | 36 | 45 | +5 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 30 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 28 | 19 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 42 | 41 | 40 | +1 |
| 8 | Everton | 30 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 24 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 19 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 40 | 39 | 40 | +1 |
| 9 | Sunderland | 30 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 18 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 33 | 37 | 38 | -4 |
| 10 | Stoke City | 30 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 36 | 38 | 37 | -2 |
| 11 | Newcastle United | 30 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 32 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 23 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 44 | 45 | 36 | -1 |
| 12 | Fulham | 30 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 16 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 9 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 0 |
| 13 | Blackburn Rovers | 30 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 20 | 38 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 39 | 51 | 33 | -12 |
| 14 | Aston Villa | 30 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 34 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 37 | 51 | 33 | -14 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 30 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 23 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 22 | 33 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 45 | 60 | 33 | -15 |
| 16 | West Bromwich Albion | 30 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 31 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 41 | 56 | 33 | -15 |
| 17 | West Ham United | 30 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 21 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 28 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 36 | 49 | 32 | -13 |
| 18 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 30 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 27 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 35 | 49 | 32 | -14 |
| 19 | Birmingham City | 29 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 23 | 6 | 13 | 10 | 28 | 41 | 31 | -13 |
| 20 | Wigan Athletic | 30 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 31 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 20 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 29 | 51 | 30 | -22 |
Next game
It is another two week break for the Latics as the international fixtures take centre stage next weekend. Tottenham are the next visitors to the DW Stadium and Roberto Martinez will be hoping for a repeat of the 1-0 Latics win earlier in the season.