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GOLD Coast United Youth have missed the chance to close the gap on the National Youth League leaders, going down 3-1 to Sydney FC Youth at Cromer Park, United’s third game in just six days

When the two sides met in round 18, Gold Coast fired three late goals to overcome the harbour city youngsters, but it wasn’t to be this time with the home side hanging on to take all three points from Mike Mulvey’s men.

The result leaves Gold Coast Youth in third place in the National Youth League, four points adrift of leaders Central Coast Mariners Youth and two behind Perth Glory Youth, who play Melbourne Victory Youth on Sunday afternoon.

In a tight contest, it was Sydney who drew first blood with Adam Casey opening the scoring for the sky blues on 37 minutes with a shot that squirmed under United ‘keeper Jerrad Tyson.

Tyson kept Gold Coast in it before the break with a string of fine saves, and his hard work paid dividends just after the start of the second period when United levelled thanks to Chris Harold’s 10th goal of the season.

Streaking onto a through ball from Mitch Bevan, Harold’s pace was too much for Sydney custodian Mark Pullman and the Gold Coast striker was coolness personified as he took the ball around the ‘keeper and slotted home.

Parity only lasted five minutes though with Sydney restoring their advantage with a goal out of nothing. Iain Ramsey was the hero for the home side, his spectacular 30-metre thunderbolt giving Tyson little chance.

As ever, Gold Coast’s never-say-die attitude was evident as they fought for a way back into the game. Zac Anderson had a goal disallowed for handball and Andrew Barisic thumped one into the side netting in a good spell for United.

But any hopes of a comeback were snuffed out with 13 minutes to go as Sydney made it 3-1. Adam Casey did the damage on the right-hand side, leaving Kerem Bulut with a simple finish to wrap up the points for the home side.