Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce refuses to accept they've beaten the drop after victory over Birmingham City.
Ryan Taylor's double was more than enough to secure all three points against the woeful visitors, who self-destructed at the JJB Stadium.
Wigan were already in complete command of the game when Blues skipper Damien Johnson saw red for a reckless two-footed lunge on Kevin Kilbane, ironically committed on the day Martin Taylor returned to the team.
But the Latics boss insisted he took greater pleasure in his side - who are now eight points clear of the drop zone - taking their biggest step yet towards survival.
"We can't say that we're safe until it's mathematically safe," he said. "It's a step closer but we've got a nice easy one next week at Chelsea!"
Bruce could not praise his players enough for today's display, saying: "Our first-half performance was arguably the best since I came to the club.
"The players were absolutely right up for the challenge and played some really good stuff on a difficult pitch, as you've seen."
Bruce singled out Taylor for the way he bounced back from last week's penalty miss in the defeat at Portsmouth.
"Last week, Ryan Taylor is in despair, misses a penalty, results have gone against us," Bruce said. "This week, it all changes round for Ryan: scores two, plays really, really well."
