Bas Van den Brink scored his third goal in as many weeks as Gold Coast United saw off Wellington Phoenix 2-0 tonight.

United outplayed the Phoenix, which received three yellow cards for poor or late challenges and committed more than a dozen fouls, to win 2-0.

Van den Brink's determination earned him a well deserved 21st minute opener, out-sprinting Nix skipper Andrew Durante to score with a header from a Gold Coast free-kick.

The Dutchman also had a hand in James Brown's second-half goal, heading a poor free-kick back into the area to allow his young teammate to take advantage of confusion inside the Nix penalty area and bundle the ball home.

Wellington leave Gold Coast without the points and also goalkeeper Mark Paston, who has suffered suspected medial ligament damage after being stretchered off midway through the game.