TWEED United assistant coach Nathan Mulhearn has conceded the highest the Marlins can finish in the Gold Coast BLK 1 competition title race is third.

The concession comes after Tweed drew 2-2 with Pacific Pines last week, after losses to Runaway Bay (0-4) and the Gold Coast Knights (0-1) in the two weeks prior.

The result means the Marlins find themselves nine points adrift of co-ladder leaders Pacific Pines and the Gold Coast Knights, with only four round games remaining for this season.

With the winner of BLK 1 gaining automatic promotion to the Gold Coast Premier League and second given a shot at promotion via a play-off, the stakes are high. Mulhearn said while the Marlins’ performances over the past fortnight had been strong, their inability to come away with wins would mean a top-two finish had probably slipped from their grasp.

“We have played really well in the past two weeks, but unfortunately, we were not able to put a dent into the lead,” he said.

“Mathematically it’s still possible (top-two), but realistically we’d need one of the two unbeaten sides to lose all their remaining games.”

In a tight season, just two points separate third and sixth and the Marlins’ recent losses and draw see them slip from the top-four for the first time.

While realistic about a top-two finish, Mulhearn said Tweed United still had its sights set on the top-four, despite a tough final month.

Three of their four remaining games are away from home against Robina (10th), and fellow finals’ aspirants Kingscliff (6th), Musgrave (3rd).

“The league is very tight. We have been unlucky at times and we have drawn too many games (5), but we are confident in our abilities and look forward to our run home,” Mulhearn said.

“Our destiny is in our hands and we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

The Marlins will put their faith in top goal-scorer and captain Michael Kolovos, and midfielders Michael Gardner, Matthew Noble and Dylan Criddle, who had their first game back together last weekend after injury kept them apart for over a month.

The Marlins have a bye this weekend.