Danijel Pranjic scored the only goal of the game after 59 minutes as Heerenveen strengthened their grip on fourth place in the table.

But the defeat meant the gap between Ajax and AZ, who play away to Sparta Rotterdam tomorrow, remained at six points.

Ajax's hopes of getting anything from the game had suffered a blow in the 47th minute when Thomas Vermaelen was sent off.

Garcia Gonzalo scored the only goal of the game as FC Groningen took all three points away to ADO Den Haag to keep them in the hunt for qualification for European places.

Mads Junker and Ricky van Wolfswinkel eased Vitesse's relegation worries as they defeated Willem II 2-0 in Tilburg.

Van Wolfswinkel played a part in the opening goal when his shot was kept out by Mikael Aerts only for Junker to score from the rebound.

Vitesse sealed the win when Van Wolfswinkel netted the second goal.

NAC were held to a 1-1 draw at home to bottom side Volendam with both goals coming in the second half.

Joonas Kolkka scored the opening goal for the home side after 64 minutes but the visitors were level six minutes later when Rowin Van Zaanen netted the equaliser.

ends