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Left: Liam Reddy kept a rare clean sheet
Bruce Djite had the opening chance on 8 minutes, set up by a nice backheel from Robson which was then flicked out wide to Adama Traore. The cross along the ground, however, could only be put wide of the goal by Djite, who should have done better.
Moments later Robson found an oncoming Caravella with a similar cross along the top of the box, this one going the same way as Djite's attempt 4 minutes prior - just wide of the post.
Nick Carle pounced on a loose ball outside the 18 yard box in the 18th and blasted off a shot, starting a bevvy of chances for Sydney FC. Amongst them was a Hiro Moriyasu shot that forced a save from GCU goalkeeper Glen Moss.
As was always going to be the case, the attacking football from Sydney led to some gaps in defense, although fast-becoming crowd favorite Matthew Jurman seemed equal to the task.
A well timed through ball from Moriyasu on 32 minutes found Dimitri Petratos steaming down the left flank. The youngster powered the ball into the top of the other side of the net for his first A-League goal, giving Sydney a 1-nil lead.
Simultaneously, at the other end of the pitch, Robson lay on the ground nursing his hamstring. He was subsequently subbed for Chris Broadfoot after the goal.
Right on half time a pair of free kicks to Gold Coast in dangerous areas either side of the box were wasted by Steve Fitzsimmons, who failed to produce an opportunity for his side to even the scores before the break.
The second stanza got underway with the same fast pace of the first. On 52 minutes a Scott Jamieson free-kick almost found Jurman at the back post, but it was not to be.
The first yellow card went to Sebastiaan Van Der Brink in the 60th. He dived in on Sydney captain McFlynn and found what can only be described as the wrong ball.
The next card came moments later when Fitzsimmons collected Moriyasu, sliding in from behind. This time a straight red was shown, toughening Gold Coast's task of finding an equaliser.
Terry McFlynn wasn't happy with GCU having all the cards, and so made a diving tackle just outside his own box, earning himself a yellow. Fortunately for McFlynn, the resultant free-kick came to nothing.
Juho Makela made his home debut for Sydney, coming on for the final 15 minutes.
Despite Gold Coast being a man down, the game stayed quite even, and both sides had opportunities on goal. Petratos was subbed off to a standing ovation with Shannon Cole relieving him.
Makela almost sealed the win after a superb bending cross from Jamieson - Cazarine and Carle also came close. Makela did eventually seal the win, linking with substitute Seb Ryall and finishing clinically. But the 93rd minute goal came at a cost.
Makela celebrated his goal by running to the Cove, hugging the home fans. His teammates raced over, and in the midst of all the excitement the fencing collapsed onto Matt Jurman's leg. It took some time for the metal fence to be up-righted, and while Jurman seemed in some pain afterward, he managed to walk it off.
2-0 the final score, and Sydney can keep their ever-so-slight finals dream alive. Gold Coast retain 4th position but will need to turn their form around soon - they haven't won a game since the 11th of December.