PERTH Glory will be without defender Dean Heffernan for Saturday's clash with Melbourne Victory after the A-League upheld his red card for serious foul play.

Heffernan was sent off for elbowing Gold Coast’s Daniel Bowles in the 35th minute of yesterday’s 3-0 loss to United.

Glory coach Ian Ferguson was livid after the game, declaring the decision “one of the softest sending-offs that I've ever seen”.

But the A-League today confirmed the red card dished out by referee Kris Griffiths-Jones was correct and handed Heffernan the mandatory one-match ban.

Under the league’s disciplinary regulations, neither Heffernan nor the Glory can appeal the mandatory suspension.

It is the fourth time this season a Perth player has been sent off during a match and each one hasn’t come without its own controversy.

Midfielder Liam Miller and defender Josh Mitchell were both given their marching orders for what appeared to be lenient tackles and banned for one game.

Billy Mehmet was also shown a red card against Newcastle, but the A-League overturned the decision a few days later.

Despite yesterday’s shock loss to the lowly Gold Coast, Glory still secured a historic first home A-League final.

Perth and Wellington Phoenix are locked on the same points (40) and goal difference (three), but Glory has pole position because the club has scored more goals this season.

Should Glory and Phoenix both win, Ferguson’s men only need to maintain that goal difference to finish in third spot.