Brandishing five yellow cards, including three in three minutes, Breeze had no hesitation in awarding Wellington Phoenix a penalty when United defender Bas van den Brink clumsily brought down midfielder Tim Brown in the box with half time just moments away.

Paul Ifill's successful spotkick was all the visitors needed to secure the three points with Gold Coast unable to break down a strong Wellington defence led by captain Andrew Durante and goalkeeper Liam Reddy.

Clearly disappointed that the referee's decision was ultimately what separated the two teams on the night, an animated Bleiberg offered up the media a cryptic analogy after the match.

"First of all I don't want to sound like a sore loser, so well done Wellington. They played well, they got the gift but they were good enough to protect it and we were not good enough to penetrate and score," the Gold Coast boss began.

Continuing Bleiberg said: "Imagine in the wild west, there is some small town that is creating a lot of problems, making a lot of noise, a lot of murders or whatever, so the Marshall's Office decide to put some law enforcement into this town, so they send one of the best Sheriff's to put the rule into town.

"So in comes the Sheriff and he does whatever he needs to do, and then it's quiet, he's killed all the bad elements in this town.

"About the penalty, obviously I didn't have the benefit to watch it too many times, but according to Andy Harper and the other commentator that was there, it wasn't a penalty.

"We have to accept the referee's decision, but it is disappointing from our point of view to lose the chance to win the Championship for a doubtful penalty."

Breeze's decision to caution midfielder Zenon Carvella for simulation also had the firebrand coach talking with Bleiberg believing that with so much on the line, contentious decisions should be given the benefit of the doubt.

"You have to be very clear and very clear cut when you make a decision about simulation against the home team in the championship decider game," he added.

"Again, according to the TV commentators, Zenon Caravella had contact, there was no simulation, you can warn him but to give a simulation that is not even simulation, I think that this incident reflects the attitude."

When asked what he thought of Breeze's appointment to referee the match Bleiberg said: "I tell you what, I saw the appointment in the middle of the week and I'm not going to tell you what I thought and what I told to people close to me, I'll leave it to your imagination."

Slipping to third on the A-League table, Gold Coast (44 points) can still finish second dependant on the outcome of next weekend's blockbuster between Sydney FC (45) and Melbourne Victory (47) - a match that will decide this seasons Premiers' Plate and grant one team automatic qualification into the Asian Champions League.

The men in yellow will require nothing less than a win against North Queensland Fury in Townsville next weekend, and will be hoping Victory can claim their second successive Premiers' Plate with a win over the Sky Blues in the final match of the home and away season.

Second spot will be the preferred finish for Gold Coast with a double chance on offer in the finals.

An undesired third place finish would see the glamour club head down the do-or-die semi-final elimination path.