The 50-year-old Geordie was subjected to chants for him to go after substitute Franco di Santo fired the Latics to victory at the Stadium of Light in front of chairman Ellis Short. Short had earlier written in his programme notes there was no need for panic after a difficult start to the season, which has now seen the Black Cats win just two of their last 15 league games at the Stadium of Light. But his manager was left in little doubt as to the feelings of an increasing proportion of the club's own fans. Asked if he had considered his position, a defiant Bruce said: "No, not at all. "I have never given up on anything, certainly not in football anyway. "Certainly, my intention is not to walk away or quit. That's certainly not in my nature either. "There's something in me which says I will try to turn it around. "We are finding it very, very difficult at the moment. Patience in football doesn't last very long, but as far as my future is concerned, that's up to others. "Certainly I have got no intention of walking away or trying to quit or anything like that. It's certainly not in my nature. "In terms of sticking with it and staying at it, I am certainly more determined that ever to see it through because I don't think we are that far away." Bruce's Tyneside roots remain a source of disquiet for some sections of the Black Cats' fans, and he admitted there is nothing he can do about that. He said: "It borders on abuse, but I can't help where I was born. When it gets like it is it's disappointing to hear, of course. "But I am a resilient so and so and I have had stick all my life and come through it, certainly in football anyway." The game could hardly have started much more positively for Sunderland, who went ahead with just eight minutes gone when, after goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi had fumbled Nicklas Bendtner's shot, Sebastian Larsson fired home from close range. But Al-Habsi then pulled off a series of fine saves to deny Kieran Richardson, Wes Brown, Larsson, Phil Bardsley and John O'Shea with the Black Cats threatening to run riot. However, the Latics were back in it a minute before the break when referee Kevin Friend awarded a penalty for Larsson's challenge on Victor Moses, despite the Swede's protests, and Jordi Gomez converted it. Wigan were much improved after the break, although the game looked to be heading for a draw until a dramatic conclusion. Substitute James McArthur caught Wes Brown in possession three minutes into injury time and then squared for fellow newcomer Di Santo to slide the ball into an empty net. After seeing his side end a run of eight successive league defeats with a draw against Blackburn last weekend, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was delighted with the result. He said: "It's a great example of why we are so hooked on football. It's a contrast of emotions. "Seven days ago, we were probably on the floor as bad as you can feel, and today we are really, really delighted. We are feeling the opposite end. "I'm delighted we have been able to get that victory." However, the Spaniard admitted he was holding his breath as Di Santo snatched victory, expecting the misfortune which has dogged the club's season to strike again. He said: "I expected it to be offside. With the bad luck we have been having, I expected the flag to go up." The win will have done much to make chairman Dave Whelan's day as he enjoyed a break in Barbados. Martinez said: "He was a bit upset last week. I'm glad we won, otherwise I think he would have been making a few phone calls on the way back."
