The Honduras international, who has now scored three goals for the Latics, struck in the second of five added minutes to snatch all three points and give Wigan's Premier League survival battle a much-needed boost. It all appeared to be going wrong for the hosts when Liam Ridgewell put Birmingham ahead with a goal which had more than a hint of offside about it. However, when goalkeeper Ben Foster pushed Emmerson Boyce's cross into the path of Tom Cleverley midway through the first half Wigan picked up the pace. But for Figueroa to be the match-winner was something of a surprise, with the left-back on target for only the third time in 110 appearances as he smashed a 92nd-minute shot past goalkeeper Ben Foster with his weaker right foot. "It is a great story - after 110 appearances it is the perfect hat-trick," said Martinez. "He had one wonder goal with his left foot against Stoke (from 60 yards), one with his head against Tottenham and now with his right foot. "It was great just to see him going forward and he was a joy to watch. "Maynor is the nicest and most professional player you will see and he deserved his moment today. "He had a very tough summer being in the World Cup and he has not had any time off and had a slow start to the season. "Now he is physically stronger and when he is physically strong he is a very powerful left-back." The win could not lift Wigan off the bottom but it at least brought all their rivals closer to them. There are now only two points between them and safety and they are only six off 11th place. With all their rivals getting at least a point Martinez knew they could not afford to lose any more ground. "We all knew how important the game was and the significance of the three points - we are at the stage of the season when you can't hide that any more," he added. "We had a very anxious, sloppy start and we got hurt with a set-play to go 1-0 down. "Then after that I was extremely proud. After our first we created chance after chance and I just felt the winner was a real reward to the players' effort and performance. "Even though the three points were late they were well deserved." Birmingham boss Alex McLeish criticised his side for "losing the plot" and was disappointed with the way in which they conceded the late goal, especially as he felt they should have had a penalty minutes earlier for an Antolin Alcaraz challenge on Curtis Davies. "We started the game so well but when we lost the goal we seemed to lose the plot," he said. "Wigan controlled the second half, their top players inspired them, but we looked as if we could hang on and we should have been professional enough to see it through. "Figueroa's right leg is only usually for standing on but he threw his weight behind it and how it went in is a mystery. "Ben never saw it until late because the amount of bodies in his way. "But how the referee doesn't see it is a penalty before that, I am baffled. "Alcaraz does not look at the ball, he just takes the player out."
