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Steven Crawford

Tiernan Lynch has a simple message for his Larne players ahead of title run-in

The big games just keep on coming for Larne as they continue their pursuit of a league and cup double.

The Invermen progressed to the semi-finals of the Irish Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 win over H&W Welders on Friday night.

They can take a big step towards a first-ever league title if they can pick up the points against reigning champions Linfield on Tuesday night.

Read more: Paul Kee left 'heartbroken but proud' as Irish Cup dream comes to an end

Larne currently lead the way at the summit by six points with eight games to play, and boss Tiernan Lynch says they have to enjoy the run-in.

"They are all massive games at this stage," he said.

"Our big thing is we have to go and try to enjoy these games as best we can.

"We have worked unbelievably hard on and off the pitch as a club over the last six years trying to get into situations like this.

"We have to try and embrace it and enjoy it.

"I don't think Tuesday night will define our season but we have to embrace it and go and meet it head on."

They were certainly made to work all the way by the Welders on Friday night before Andy Ryan popped up in the 90th minute to break Paul Kee's side's hearts.

Lynch admitted afterwards that his side had not been at their best, but he praised them for sticking in there and getting the job done.

"These are the type of games where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't as people expect you to go and beat them six or whatever," he said.

"We spent a lot of time on this team. They beat Newry at The Showgrounds and Glenavon at Mourneview, they haven't lost a game since December, young Spike Ferguson has 17 goals, they scored seven last Saturday, so their humps were up.

"We probably missed a couple of chances early on which might have changed the nature of the game.

"I think the Welders have to take great credit they came and they stuck in there, but our boys have to take a bit of credit too.

"It wasn't going their way, it was one of those nights where the harder we tried the worse it got, but we got into the hat in the end so we'll take it and move on.

"In days gone by I'm not sure we would have hung in there, we might have crumbled a little bit.

"This team has a little bit more about them, they knew what they needed to do.

"It wasn't pretty, we would have liked it to have been a wee bit easier, but as I say credit needs to go to them for sticking in there.

"I don't know if they maybe had one eye on Tuesday night, but we chalk it off now and go again."

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