A brace from in-form striker Shane Smeltz handed A-League leaders Gold Coast United a 2-1 win over Sydney in today's top-of-the-table clash at Skilled Park.

Gold Coast, who suffered their first defeat of the season last week against Newcastle Jets to relinquish top spot to Sydney, opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time as Smeltz headed home his seventh of the season from Matt Osman's free-kick. The former Wellington Phoenix frontman doubled the home side's lead 11 minuets after the break as Smeltz capitalised on a moment's hesitation in the Sydney defence to beat goalkeeper Clint Bolton with another clinical finish.

A 75th-minute header from substitute Steve Corica from Shannon Cole's measured cross halved the deficit but Gold Coast survived to hand Sydney a first defeat of the season and move two points clear at the top of the table. Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg was delighted his side returned to winning ways in the absence of captain Jason Culina, who was on international duty with Australia.

When Shane is one on one with the goalkeeper like he was for the second goal, you can light your cigar!
Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg

"We were quite comfortable throughout most of the game and we deserved our win. Shane was excellent again and he took his goals very well," he said. "When Shane is one on one with the goalkeeper like he was for the second goal, you can light your cigar! It was a very good game in terms of quality and was a great advertisement for the A-League."

Elsewhere, Matt Nichols struck with eight minutes remaining to deny 10-man North Queensland Fury a first A-League win as Brisbane Roar snatched a 1-1 draw against their local rivals. Robbie Fowler's third A-League goal after just seven minutes opened the scoring at Dairy Farmers Stadium as the veteran striker showed his class with a deft touch inside the area before slotting home.

North Queensland looked to have survived Paul Kohler's 31st-minute dismissal for picking up a second yellow card until Nichols diverted Sergio Van Dijk's strike home to earn Brisbane a third draw in five games. The winless Fury remained at the foot of the table with just two points from the first five games of their inaugural A-League campaign.