Johnson’s late equaliser has Bruce all smiles

BIRMINGHAM manager Steve Bruce paid tribute to captain Damien Johnson after his late strike kept their Coca-Cola Championship automatic promotion hopes on track.

The Blues moved into second thanks to the Northern Ireland international’s 86th-minute strike – a superbly-taken volley from the right side of the area — cancelled out Ireland’s Paul McShane’s opener.

Bruce was under no illusions as to just how important the strike could be come the end of the season.