In a classic 'game of two halves', Gold Coast dominated the first period, but the tables were turned in the second 45 minutes with Brisbane coming back into the game strongly.

Gold Coast were off to a flyer and took the lead in just the 5th minute when striker Andrew Barisic latched on to a through ball from Koh Satake before stepping around his marker and heading towards goal.

As Brisbane goalkeeper Luke Muir advanced, Barisic made no mistake with a firm left-foot drive to put United one up.

Buoyed by his early goal, Barisic doubled his tally only three minutes later. After dispossessing Roar defender Daniel Bowles on the edge of the box, the Gold Coast striker fired in a shot that was too hot to handle for Muir.

Barisic almost completed his hat-trick inside 15 minutes, but just failed to connect with Chris Harold's cross from the left as United threatened to run riot.

Gold Coast went on to dominate the remainder of the half and the only disappointment to coach Mike Mulvey was that they did not increase their lead before the break, with Matt Osman and Chris Harold both enjoying chances.

For Brisbane, Joshua McVey forced Jerrad Tyson into a save in the 10th minute, but was otherwise the United custodian was rarely troubled in the opening 45 minutes.

The second period was a different story with Brisbane taking the initiative and they were soon back in the game. Joshua McVey sprung the offside trap before rounding Tyson and tapping into the net, despite the brave efforts of United defender Ben Wearing who desperately tried to keep the ball out. 

Brisbane continued to press and levelled the scores in the 76th minute when Jordan Farina took a pass from McVey before shooting firmly past Tyson and securing a point for his side.

Gold Coast United Youth Coach, Mike Mulvey, found plenty of positives in the game for his young troops, despite letting a two-goal lead slip.

"Our guys did well to keep their heads up when it went to 2-2, but after all the chances we created we're a little disappointed not to have killed them off in the first half," Mulvey said.

"We'll be working on that at training and will emphasise to the players that we must take advantage of superior possession when we have it.

"Overall I'm pleased because we played well and the leadership displayed by the senior players (Matt Osman and Andrew Barisic) was excellent.

"Credit must go to the Brisbane players as well. They kept going when they were 2-0 down and really came at us in the second half."