United had much the better of the contest and if the end product had matched their lead-up play they would have finished handsome winners.

The result leaves Gold Coast six points clear at the top of the National Youth League table but all their rivals are yet to play this weekend and could close the gap.

A win could have put one hand on the premiership trophy for Gold Coast, however the season looks to be heading towards a tense climax with Sydney FC Youth and Brisbane Roar Youth very much in the title race.

Last week's flat performance was put to bed though as Gold Coast looked to be back to their old selves apart from failing to turn their dominance into goals.

Both sides had goals disallowed in the opening minutes with Newcastle the first to have a have a crack at goal after just 60 seconds, but Gavin Forbes' header was ruled offside.

The home side enjoyed some early possession as Gold Coast took time to settle, but Mike Mulvey's men grew into the match and began to take control. In the 10th minute it was United's turn to have a goal scratched when Tahj Minniecon's precision cross was side-footed home by Chris Harold only for the linesman's flag to deny the young striker.

Gold Coast got to grips with Newcastle's endeavour and only the lack of a penetrating final pass prevented the visitors from opening the scoring, with the same story continuing into the second period.

United's best chances fell to Harold and Bobby Russell with Harold firing inches wide when cleverly found by Minniecon, then Russell saw his shot saved by Kolak after a neat Harold/Minniecon combination opened up the space.

In the closing minutes Steve Pantelidis was shown a red card after picking up his second caution of the match, although for much of the match Pantelidis was the victim with a string of heavy challenges on the United man going unpunished.

"We tried to play football all evening without really managing to create enough chances to win the game comfortably, but it was a much improved performance after the disappointment of last weekend," said Assistant Coach Pat Hedges.

"It was one of those days when the application from the players was all you could ask for but just lacked the all-important final ball.

"The effort was there and the football was good, so we have plenty of positives to take from the match."