Joel Porter gave Gold Coast the lead in the second-half, but the Mariners hit back when Nik Mrdja scored from the spot. However it was the Mariners' foul rate which really rattled the Gold Coast coach.

"I've been here a few times when the Mariners try to steamroll the other team with any tactic in the world - clean or less clean," said Bleiberg. "I think they broke the record for the amount of fouls they committed.

"They are a good side and they deserved to win more than we did but if they're such a good side why do they have to use such tactics? They should compete with us in a fair fight."

In a thinly-veiled reference to Mariners' boss Lawrie McKinna, Blieberg condemned coaches who tried to bring "European" football tactics to the A-League.

"In Australia we have created our own unique football," he said. "We've developed over the years a certain type of football.

"People that want us to play Total Football like Holland make a mistake and people that want to bring Scotland Third Division to Australia also make a mistake."

Bleiberg said that the point was a good result under difficult circumstances although he believed the referee's decision to award the Mariners a penalty within a minute of Porter's goal "could cost us the Championship".

"I'm proud of the boys," added Bleiberg. "We're still on course according to my plan because if we win the next two home games against Victory and Wellington I think we're in a good position last round to finish in the top two."

Lawrie McKinna was more frustrated with his team's third draw in a row, a run of results which have left their finals hopes hanging by a thread.

"Both teams were poor in the first half but in the second half we came out and had a bit of a go and created good chances," said McKinna. "McGlinchey could have scored three, Porter and Mrdja, the list goes on. It's another two points missing.

"We weren't under any pressure in the first half but we weren't putting them under any pressure either," added McKinna. "You could take the heat into it but that's no excuse.

"The last half hour out there was good, we pressured, believed and wanted the ball. They're top of the league for a reason, they're a good team and we should have beaten them."