The scores were level at 2-2 with five minutes left but when Archie Thompson was brought down in the box, up stepped Muscat.

He blazed his spot-kick over the bar only for the referee to signal a retake due to encroachment. Muscat coolly netted at the second time of asking.

Jason Culina had given Gold Coast the lead from the penalty spot  on 18 minutes after a foul by Muscat but the visitors came back to level matters with Carlos Hernandez thumping in an absolute belter from distance.

Thompson made it 2-1 with a curling strike on 43 minutes after the home side had been reduced to 10 men - Steve Fitzsimmons shown red for a lunge on Leigh Broxham.

The 10 men battled back however and equalised from a corner when Joel Porter got on the end of Culina's corner and directed the ball into the net.

Despite a few near misses after the interval it looked as though the points would be shared. That was until Thompson was sent sprawling and referee Peter Green pointed to the spot.

The usually reliable Muscat fired over but Gold Coast's joy was short-lived as Green ordered a re-take.

Muscat dusted himself down and made no mistake, coolly finding the right corner of the net.