Paddy McLaughlin insists Cliftonville will keep fighting in the title race but admits Larne are very much in pole position.
The Reds missed the opportunity to close the gap to four points when they were held to a 2-2 by Crusaders on Monday night.
McLaughlin, whose side entertain Dungannon Swifts this afternoon, feels there will be a few twists and turns before the season ends.
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"Anything can happen between now and the end of the season, we'll give it our best shot and hopefully Larne can drop points along the way," he said.
"They are in a really strong position and I don't know how many teams can take points off them.
"You want to still be in touching distance at the split as like last year I'm sure there will be points dropped."
Cliftonville need no more motivation to get a result over the Swifts today after Dean Shiels' side dumped them out of the Irish Cup, but McLaughlin is cautious not to get burned twice.
"We don't need reminding of that. We didn't play well, Dungannon did, we didn't, it was as simple as that," he said.
Elsewhere Saturday Glenavon entertain Coleraine, Linfield host Newry City and Crusaders travel to Portadown.
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