United moved to within four points of Brisbane Roar, courtesy of goals from Marcos Flores and Sergio van Dijk on Friday night.

Despite the Reds domination, they failed to kill off the contest and coach Rini Coolen admitted a third goal would have finished off Fury.

"At the end of the day we got the three points, that's the most important thing," he said.

"We created a lot of chances but we have to score a few more goals to make the game safer."

Fury were without coach Franz Straka who remained in Townsville with flu and the former Czech Republic international would not have liked what he saw with the Reds opening up in superb fashion.

With assistant coach Stuart McLaren facing a club-imposed media ban, Football Operations Manager Robbie Middleby attended the post match press conference and acknowledged the current ''tough'' times in Townsville.

"We need to give credit to the boys, it's difficult times at the moment at North Queensland," he said.

"We have got a lot of character in the team but it is trying times and we've got to bounce back."