Cork City boss John Caulfield has warned his side they must keep up the pace at the top or Dundalk will disappear out of sight
The Rebels returned to second place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division table following a dominant second-half performance at Bray Wanderers.
It was their fourth win on the bounce, but still they trail the champions by four points and Caulfield is well aware that there's absolutely no room for error if Stephen Kenny's men are to be dethroned.
“We needed that," he told RTÉ Sport after the victory in Bray. "We knew it would be difficult. The first half was cagey, very difficult to break down Bray because they've very experienced players, good players and we hadn't moved the ball quick enough.
"But in the second half we upped the tempo from the start. We were much much better. In the first half we were a bit slack... but we got two good goals and we roll on to Tuesday night.
“Dundalk are going for three in a row, they have a fantastic team. The way they're playing at the moment, if you don't stay with them they're gone. It's an important couple of weeks.
"If a team falls ten or 12 points behind them it’s all over. We’re trying our best to stay with them."
Cork face another lengthy trip on Tuesday as they visit Bohemians, before hosting Derry City on Friday in a demanding yet crucial period.
Caulfield is perplexed by the congested schedule but refused to dwell on it.
“It is a very difficult schedule to end up having to go to Bray when you're home at three in the morning, Bohemians on a Tuesday night, and then to play on Friday.
"Then there’s a three-week break. You’d wonder where's the logic in all of this but we don't complain; we battle on and just get on with it."
