It's the title challenge that dare not speak its name.
Cliftonville kept themselves in the thick of the race to be crowned champions with a 3-1 victory in the North Belfast derby on Saturday.
It was the Reds’ first home win over Crusaders for nearly three years and kept Paddy McLaughlin’s side as a stalking horse in pursuit of the Gibson Cup.
With nine games left, the Solitude men are just a point behind new leaders Glentoran and two clear of reigning champions Linfield who have a game in hand.
A fascinating run-in awaits, even if Levi Ives - who claimed a goal and a controversial assist at the weekend - insists the prospect of title glory is a taboo subject at the club.
“We haven’t spoken about the title race at all and I don’t want to think about it,” said the 24-year-old.
“I’ve never won anything like that, there are only a few lads in the changing-room who have so that’s why we’re just keeping below the radar and just ticking things off.
“This win was the same as the win over Warrenpoint on Tuesday night, it was no bigger.
“Three points is three points and we just move on to the next game.”
Crusaders felt they were harshly treated by referee Tony Clarke, with Declan Caddell sent-off in the 27th minute for a reckless lunge at Chris Gallagher that sparked ugly scenes involving both dug-outs.
To rub salt in their wounds, after Josh Robinson had equalised for the 10 men following Jonny Addis’s opener, Ives got away with taking a throw-in from the wrong spot to send Ryan Curran through to make it 2-1.
Ives then made the game safe with a thumped right-foot finish, although he admitted he didn’t catch it quite as sweetly as planned.
“It’s a goal and an assist, definitely!” said the man of the match with a grin. “For the goal I thought I was whipping it into the top right corner but I shanked it into the bottom left. They all count though.
“For our second goal, the ball boy gave it to me there so I threw it in. A bit of quick thinking and Ryan Curran was on the money.”
Crues boss Stephen Baxter didn’t quite see it that way.
“You have to be disappointed when you lose a player so early on,” he said. “I thought it was a yellow card.
“But I’m more annoyed about the throw-in with 30 seconds to go before half-time.
“It was taken in the incorrect position, 15 yards further up the pitch, and their player runs through and scores.
“I asked the question at half-time and I was dismissed as if I’m the stupid one.”
