Roar striker Jean Carlos Solorzano made it 2-2 on 66 minutes from the spot, after Kosta Barbarouses had been brought down inside the box by United defender John Curtis.

But Bleiberg said from his perspective the decision was soft and not clear-cut.

"I asked John Curtis and he said 'the guy pushed me and when I went down I tried to protect my face so he would not step on me, he obviously went straight into my arm and it looks like a trip'," Bleiberg told FoxSports.

"From what I saw there was definitely a foul from Barbarouses beforehand, he was pushing.

"It wasn't a clear-cut penalty, it was a soft penalty. The guy wasn't in a dangerous situation, wasn't on his way to goal. If there is any soft penalty it can't be softer than this one."

Bleiberg added he felt the fact Brisbane didn't lose the match was crucial for their title hopes.

"They took a big step today," he said. "It's a bitter atmosphere in our dressing room. We were leading twice and I think the penalty was on the soft side.

"We were leading twice away from home against the top team in the competition and we wanted the three points. We can only have the pride they're still yet to beat us, but from the competition point of view they're the winner of the day."

He added: "It's the year of the Roar. If they play at home and they are 2-1 down and they are getting a soft penalty, it means nothing will take it away from them."

Fourth-placed Gold Coast's next match is at home to Perth Glory on January 3.