After a dour first-half the match came to life in the second period with three goals in the space of seven mad minutes as both sides contributed to an entertaining encounter.

Chris Harold cancelled out Matthew Demo's first half opener, then turned provider for Andrew Barisic to equalise once again after Aziz Behich put Victory 2-1 up.

Gold Coast started the game brightly enough and were almost rewarded as early as the ninth minute when Harold turned Mitch Bevan's centre onto the crossbar with Melbourne ‘keeper Glen Moss beaten and the goal gaping.

But United failed to capitalise on their early dominance and Victory skipper Behich went within a whisker of opening the scoring with a well placed shot that inched just wide of the post.

Melbourne were looking increasingly dangerous and finally made the breakthrough six minutes from half-time when Matthew Demo tapped home from close range.

United's only other chance of the half fell to Ben Halloran, who fired weakly at Moss when presented with a good opportunity by Mitch Bevan, a strike that typified Gold Coast's first half malaise.

But Mike Mulvey's half-time pep talk worked wonders for Gold Coast, who looked a different side after the break. Their positive approach paid off just 10 minutes into the second period when Chris Harold levelled for the home side.

Mitch Bevan's swirling corner was kept alive by Andrew Barisic at the far post and Harold produced an acrobatic overhead kick that looped the ball over Glen Moss to register his 11th goal of the campaign.

Harold went close to doubling his tally within seconds of the restart, smashing in a powerful drive that Moss did well to palm to safety.

But United's joy was short-lived thanks to Aziz Behich's superb 20-metre free-kick that whistled past a stranded Jerrad Tyson to restore Melbourne's advantage just eight minutes later.

The action was coming thick and fast though and within 60 seconds Gold Coast were level again when Harold's pin-point cross was headed home firmly by Andrew Barisic.

The impressive Behich was inches away from giving Melbourne the lead for the third time in the game when another laser-guided set piece from the Victory captain clipped the post with Tyson at full stretch.

With the match there for the taking it was end to end action as both sides pressed for the winner.

United had a great chance to snatch all three points when good work from substitute Koh Satake found Barisic in the box. Under pressure from his marker, the Gold Coast striker laid the ball into the path of the incoming Matt Osman who could only watch in frustration as his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Right at the death, goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson was the hero for Gold Coast when he saved at point-blank range from Matthew Demo to deny Melbourne a late winner and secure a point for his side.

Gold Coast United Youth 2 (Harold 55', Barisic 63')
Melbourne Victory Youth 2 (Demo 40', Behich 62')