Milliner error like Graham Poll: Aloisi

Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi has compared Alan Milliner's phantom yellow card at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night to arguably the biggest refereeing blunder of them all - Graham Poll's infamous meltdown at the 2006 World Cup.

Confusion reigned supreme late in the 1-1 draw between the Roar and A-League leaders Sydney FC when it appeared Rhyan Grant was about to be sent off for a second bookable offence for bringing down Jamie Maclaren in the 77th minute.

Sydney coach Graham Arnold had already told substitute Seb Ryall to start getting ready but when Grant remained on the field, the crowd of 17,322 erupted into a fury.

It later emerged referee Milliner didn't actually show Grant an initial yellow for his sliding challenge on Thomas Broich in the 59th minute - even though he took the card out of his pocket, which officials are only instructed to do if they intend to caution the player.

Aloisi said it brought back instant memories of Poll, who famously showed Croatia's Josip Simunic three yellow cards in their 2-2 draw against the Socceroos.

"Actually it did come in my mind. A few supporters were screaming it out as well," said Aloisi, who was involved in that match as a second-half substitute.

"It just sometimes baffles you they can get it wrong like that."

Match officials declined an approach from the media to explain the incident post-match.

Milliner may have changed his mind about awarding Grant a yellow card after watching a replay on the big screen.

"So we've got video referees already?" said Arnold, referring to the fact video replay technology has been confirmed for the A-League but won't be implemented until later in the season.

"You've got to ask him that, if he looked at the big screen and that made him change the decision. I can't answer that."