This was a game in which Roar created multiple chances and failed to take all bar one, a match in which City made six changes to the starting line up that won the FFA Cup on Wednesday night but still managed to fashion several opportunities of their own although they could score only once, and that a goal clouded in controversy and angry recrimination.

The end result means that City stay second on the A-League ladder, three points adrift of Sydney, who play Newcastle on Sunday, while Roar remain fourth, level on points with third placed Melbourne Victory but behind on goal difference. In the lead up to the match Roar coach John Aloisi, had warned referee Shaun Evans to be wary of City's physicality and of their captain, Bruno Fornaroli's habit of going to ground to win free kicks and penalties.

City boss John Van 't Schip responded by labelling Aloisi a whinging baby and advised the ex-Socceroo star to worry more about his players and tactics than giving the referee pre game advice.

It was Brisbane who were throwing their weight around early.

Jade North, the Roar's veteran centre back,  shoved Fornaroli  over in the first moments of the game, while not long after Thomas Kristensen let City midfielder Anthony Caceres know he would be in close attendance.

The game was barely three minutes old when Matt McKay played a ball down the left which Tommy Oar latched on to. The Socceroo wideman outpaced City defender Connor Chapman but failed to trouble Dean Bouzanis, dragging his shot wide of the post.

Aloisi's side had been labelled defensive and counter attacking by van 't Schip in the pre-game war of words, but it was Brisbane who was pressing high up the pitch, closing down space.

It took City a while to get into their groove but Nicolas Colazo threatened with a free kick which sailed over the bar before Michael Jakobsen's failed to trouble Michael Theo in the Brisbane goal.

Jamie Maclaren blew  a second chance when he headed wide from Corey Brown's cross, while City goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis was almost embarrassed by Jack Hingert's cross-cum-shot which forced him to back pedal before he was able to palm the ball away to safety. For the first 25 minutes it was all Brisbane, but City finally began to get into the game.

Defender Josh Rose fired over after Nick Fitzgerald's cross was not cleared, and the hosts almost took the lead in the 34th minute when Anthony Caceres met Manny Muscat's cross with a powerful header which crashed off the woodwork. Brisbane got the reward their earlier efforts had merited in the 38th minute, and City could only blame themselves.

First they let  Broich run unchallenged into their half before the German delivered a cross into the penalty area. It looked as though there was little danger, but Muscat messed up his interception, and instead of clearing the danger he played the ball straight to Maclaren. This time the striker  fired past Bouzanis.

The goal had come after a period in which City had enjoyed the bulk of possession and it stung the FFA Cup winners into action.

Brisbane could thank their goalkeeper, Michael Theo for preserving their lead as he pulled out several terrific saves.

At the other end Maclaren squandered another golden opportunity when he missed from close range. City equalised nine minutes after the restart with a goal that will spark plenty of debate.

North clashed with Fornaroli and the City skipper shoved the roar defender back. It was the sort of run of the mill push and shove that happens in games.

But North fell to the ground as if poleaxed, clutching his face as if he had been punched; the ball came to Brattan and the game went into slow motion as both teams waited for Brattan to kick the ball out and referee Shaun Evans to take action – either penalising Fornaroli for retaliation or North for simulation.

Evans did neither, and as the Roar players stood around waiting for a whistle that never came Brattan took the initiative, playing the ball forward to Nick Fitzgerald. His backheel found Colazo, who calmly finished past Theo.

The City bench and players exulted, the Roar squad and coaching staff exploded:  Aloisi appeared to be shouting at the City substitutes and coaching staff, City goalkeeper Bouzanis was booked for "excessive celebrations".

Maclaren had an opportunity to put Roar back in front with another header from a Petratos cross, but steered the ball straight at Bouzanis.

Oar had another opportunity shortly after but tamely headed over the bar before Bouzanis produced another diving save to keep out a Maclaren shot.