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Heartbreak for Gold Coast as Melbourne edge it

United are now in unchartered waters after three consecutive losses but again showed good signs despite the defeat. Their undoing was similar to last week’s encounter in Adelaide - after falling behind they fought back well to level, only to be caught napping five minutes later and surrender the parity they had worked so hard to achieve.

With James Brown and Dylan McGowan away on Olyroo duty and Ben Halloran’s knee strain not risked, Miron Bleiberg was forced into at least three changes from last week’s starting line-up. Josh Brillante came in for McGowan, Mitch Bevan replaced Halloran and young forward Golgol Mebrahtu made his first appearance of the season in place of Brown.

But Gold Coast couldn’t have got off to a worse start, going behind as early as the fourth minute courtesy of a Matt Thompson strike. The Heart midfielder fired a warning sign just a minute earlier, forcing Glen Moss into a smart save, but he made no mistake with his next chance. Good work from Rutger Worm fashioned the chance and when the ball was laid square to Thompson just inside the box his firm, low drive found its way past Moss.

United were stunned but responded well, almost levelling eight minutes later. Dutch import Paul Beekmans clipped a neat ball to countryman Maceo Rigters and after muscling past his marker the striker crashed a powerful drive that thundered back off the crossbar.

Maycon fluffed a glorious chance to double the visitors’ lead midway through the half when he headed over from close range, while at the other end Dylan Macallister’s 20-metre drive was well stopped by Bolton.

The Heart keeper was at his very best soon afterwards when he produced a flying save to keep out Peter Jungschlager’s rasping free-kick as the home side looked for an equaliser before the break.

Melbourne were always dangerous on the break but in the dying moments of the first 45 minutes Gold Coast’s luck was out again, this time leaving Mitch Bevan frustrated as his far post cross cannoned back off the upright leaving Heart’s lead intact going into the break.

Bleiberg reshuffled before the restart bringing Zac Anderson on in place of Brillante, moving Jungschlager to right full-back and Michael Thwaite into midfield. The tinkering worked well early on and United looked dynamic, energised and the more likely scorers as they dominated possesion.

And the home side were rewarded for their bright start, levelling just after the hour. Adama Traore was floored on the edge of the box and the dead ball task was given to Jungschlager. The Dutchman didn’t disappoint with a blistering low shot that beat Bolton and ricocheted into the net off the post to give United a deserved equaliser.

But Gold Coast didn’t get to enjoy being level for too long. Just five minutes later Germano held off Traore and cleverly lifted the ball past Moss to restore Heart’s lead after a tremendous pass from Thompson put him through.

Bleiberg’s men pressed and Thwaite’s weaving run through the Heart defence almost bore fruit, but the visitors’ backline held on to register back-to-back wins and take the points home to Victoria.

“At the moment we have to accept that something is missing and we have to do something about it,” said Miron Bleiberg after the game.

“We are not easy beats but we can’t concede two goals in every game and expect to win. We did well to come back after being one-nil down, but history repeated itself and like last week we conceded another goal within a few minutes.

“From what I recall Heart only had one good chance in the second half and they scored from it, which is the difference at the moment and naturally that’s very disappointing for all of us. The only thing we can do is continue to work hard with what we have and look to strengthen the squad if we can.”

Gold Coast United:

1.Glen Moss [gk], 2.Josh Brillante (4.Zac Anderson 46’), 3.Michael Thwaite (c), 5.Kristian Rees, 6.Paul Beekmans, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu, 12.Dylan Macallister (17.Chris Harold 66’) , 15.Adama Traore, 16.Maceo Rigters, 22.Peter Jungschlager, 29.Mitch Bevan (21.Daniel Severino 72’).

Unused subs: 20.Jerrad Tyson [gk].

Yellow cards: Mebrahtu 90’.

Red cards: None.

Melbourne Heart:

1.Clint Bolton [gk], 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 5.Fred (c), 6.Matt Thompson, 7.Rutger Worm (15.David Williams 51’), 9.Maycon (19.Eli Babalj 58’), 10.Wayne Srhoj, 13.Jonatan Germano, 18.Curtis Good, 25.Adrian Madaschi (4.Simon Colosimo 80’).

Unused subs: 30.Sebastian Mattei [gk].

Yellow cards: Worm 26’, Thompson 90+1’.

Red cards: None.

Hyundai A-League Week 7

At Skilled Park, Gold Coast

GOLD COAST UNITED 1 (Jungschlager 63’)

MELBOURNE HEART 2 (Thompson 4’, Germano 68’)

HT: 0-1

Referee: Peter O’Leary