The goalless draw against Reading moved them five points clear of the relegation zone with two games left.

If 18th place Birmingham don't beat at Fulham on Saturday, Bruce's men will be safe irrespective of their result against Aston Villa the same day – Alex McLeish's side are the only side in the bottom three who can catch them.

Bruce said: "We are virtually there but still have a bit of work to do.
"The Reading game wasn't a great one for the heart – it was tense and nervous.
"Sometimes when it's like that it is better to be playing away.

"The crowd were on the edge of their seats, and that ebbed through to the players. I think everyone in the stadium was nervous.

"Saying that, I thought we defended well, we had to regroup when Mario went off which could have disrupted us.

"This might be the point which takes is over the line.
"There are now a lot of clubs with plenty to do, although we're still in the mix.

"Going to Aston Villa won't be easy, but no one gave us a hope at Chelsea a couple of weeks ago and looked what happened.

"Birmingham have to go Fulham on Saturday and that should be one hell of a game.
"Fulham didn't win an away game for 18 months and now they've won two on the trot – it's typical of what happens at the end of the season."

Bruce felt that if Latics were going to beat Reading, they needed to take one of the chances which came their way in a strong
opening.

He said: "I thought we started really brightly. We flew out of the blocks.
"If Marcus Bent's header had gone in rather than hit the woodwork, it might have settled everyone down.

"We had some other half chances, and Reading created one or two things, so arguably a draw was the fair result.
"It would have been lovely to have put it to bed, we didn't, but we have edged a step closer to where we want to be.

"I'd have taken this position when I first walked through the door.
"Perhaps we were lacking a bit of sharpness. Emile Heskey and Bent didn't train for three days because of injury and that showed.

"They then both got knocks during the game but they'll both be okay for the weekend.
"We've got a clear week now to get ourselves ready for the Villa game and hopefully get into a position where we are safe."

Bruce will have to manage without Mario Melchiot for the Villa game, and the season's finale against Manchester United.
The skipper tore a groin muscle in the first half on Saturday and was replaced by Ryan Taylor.