On-loan striker Amr Zaki scored the winner against Bolton from the penalty spot a minute before half-time to ensure Wigan have now won five of their last six league games and continue to make great strides under Bruce's stewardship.

Bruce said: "Anyone who has seen us will know it is no fluke we are in the top half of the division.

"Our aim is to stay there if we can. There a lot of big clubs down near the bottom so it is great for a side like ours to be punching above our weight.

"Bolton have done it (played in the UEFA Cup), Blackburn have done it. Why can't it be our turn?.

"In the calendar year we have taken something like 58-60 points. It is a fantastic achievement from the players but we are not going to get carried away."

Zaki's 11th goal of the season came after Andy O'Brien had been penalised for a challenge on substitute Henri Camara.

Bruce offered a tribute to the Egyptian forward, who has had some anxious domestic business to attend to.

"The kid has had a tough time," said the Wigan boss. "He has a sick child.

"We will continue to try to help him. Thankfully his daughter is now okay and that has put his mind at rest.

"He is getting back to his best and is strong as an ox. He has unbelievable energy levels.

"Amr's ended up with a bit of a lump on his eye but he can stand his corner."

Bruce expects to be without goalkeeper Chris Kirkland (groin) and England striker Emile Heskey (hamstring) for the FA Cup tie against Tottenham on Friday through injury.

Kirkland pulled up in the warm-up and Mike Pollitt was drafted in even though Richard Kingson was on the bench.

Bruce added: "We travel with three goalkeepers as Chris has a history of injuries although he has gone a year without missing a game.

"I picked Pollitt for his experience and he has come up with the goods. He is such a good lad he was training on the pitch even though he wasn't on the bench."

Bolton kept chipping away with both Kevin Davies and Danny Shittu rattling the woodwork with their efforts.

Shittu also saw a goalbound header steered to safety by Wilson Palacios although manager Gary Megson maintained it was a goal

Megson said: "You try to be objective as you can but we think the ball was over the line.

"We had what we thought was a legitimate goal turned down but we did not play particularly well.

"A lot of our well-known players did not perform. The best display came from Danny Shittu in terms of defending.

"Maybe tiredness set in during the last 20 minutes but we have to give credit to the opposition as they were really solid."