Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert says he may be punished for his sideline actions during yesterday's dramatic 2-1 win over Adelaide United.

The New Zealand tactician challenged referee Peter O'Leary as to why his team were penalized a few metres when taking a throw-in late in the match and was sent to the tunnel to see the contest play out to his side's advantage.

Herbert admits he may cop a sideline ban although it didn't stop him from celebrating after Ben Sigmund scored a late winner to send the Phoenix fifth on the table.

"It was fantastic and totally justified. On another day we could have got three or four [goals]," he said.

"Maybe I'll be punished." But Herbert did not seem to care too much as the result was what he was after.

"That's two [wins] out of four now and there's a draw in there as well," he added.