Wellington copped four yellow cards in the match with the coach bemoaning an inconsistent approach from referees, with some being particularly lenient and others being more than happy to dish out the cautions.

Two of those cards were given to Manny Muscat, the second of which came for raising his arm into Perth's Billy Mehmet as the pair challenged for the ball in the air during injury time.

Muscat's dismissal continues a frustrating few weeks for Herbert after Brown and Nick Ward were also dismissed in last week's win over Newcastle.

Ward's straight red card was ultimately rescinded by Football Federation Australia and the midfielder played against Glory, but Brown's suspension for this match was a tough blow to take, while Muscat will now be unavailable to face Melbourne Victory next week.

"I hate to be critical or anything, but I mean, I watched a game last night, you probably watched one as well, there were no cards issued and some pretty cruel tackles going on," Herbert said.

"Again, it just baffles me the timing of it," he added, referring specifically to Muscat's dismissal.

"In a game where players around the ball have been competitive for 90 minutes, and that's their jobs, but he's seen it differently and I'll have to cop that one on the chin as well.

"(I'm) not sure those cards are going our way at the moment either."

Wellington striker Chris Greenacre echoed his manager's comments.

"It is frustrating but that's what you're dealt with," he said. "I think all we ask for is consistency. We say week in, week out, it kind of varies and as players you just want consistency.

"But they're (the referees) learning, it's a difficult job and I wouldn't want the job myself."

"But hopefully they can, as players we look at ourselves, and I hope that they can look at their performances and maybe try and get an even keel."

Missing key players Paul Ifill and vice-captain Tim Brown through injury and suspension respectively, the Phoenix lacked the goal-scoring x-factor those players bring to the table, a fact highlighted by Shane Smeltz's predatory goal for Perth in the 33rd minute.

But Herbert was still thrilled with the performance of his make-shift side, saying their brand of football on Sunday was the type needed to eventually deliver a championship for the New Zealand side.

"I think five years we've been coming here, I'm not sure we've ever played as well," Herbert declared after the match. "I thought we were totally dominant tonight.

"I thought we were very good, the second half especially. (We) had good goal scoring opportunities in the first half as well, to maybe comfortably get something from it, but one set play, you get punished for it.

"But early in the season, I think I'm very, very pleased with the brand of football that we're playing."