The victory means Mike Mulvey's side are the only unbeaten team in the NYL and have now moved within one point of Sydney, who suffered only their second defeat of the campaign in Sunday afternoon's encounter.

Gold Coast were without the services of reliable defender Ben Wearing, who was suspended following last week's red card, and influential midfield dynamo Steven Lustica who was away on international duty.

But the inclusion of Brazilian first-teamer Jefferson proved to be a wise one with the busy playmaker opening the scoring as early as the 8th minute.

Selected in the Youth Team in a quest for match fitness, Jefferson was in the right place at the right time to take a knock-down from Andrew Barisic and volley first time past Sydney 'keeper Ivan Neceski.

United took control of the game with their high-tempo passing and clever movement causing all sorts of problems for the visitor's defence.

However, midway through the half Sydney should have levelled the scores with two great chances. First, good work from Chris Payne on the right set up an easy chance for Joel Chianese who fluffed his shot and steered the ball wide. Then, following a corner just minutes later, Matthew Jurman crashed a shot against a combination of crossbar and post and could only watch in frustration as the ball bounced clear.

The action and entertainment continued as the half progressed. On the half-hour, the gifted Golgol Mebrahtu was left wondering how he didn't connect with a centre from the classy Mitch Bevan, but just before the break Andrew Barisic did find the target, doubling United's lead with a crisp 20-metre drive that deceived the flat-footed Neceski.

As the half drew to a close Sydney spurned a great chance to halve the deficit when Chris Payne missed a penalty awarded for handball against Zac Anderson. Payne stepped up confidently, but fired a tame shot well wide of Jerrad Tyson's upright.

Chances were few and far between in the second period, despite Gold Coast enjoying the bulk of possession. When required, Mike Mulvey's young troops held firm at the back thanks to impressive performances from Steven Topalovic, and skipper for the day, Zac Anderson.

The victory leaves Gold Coast Youth in third place on the National Youth League ladder, level on points with Central Coast Mariners Youth and now just one point behind leaders Sydney FC Youth.