Geert den Ouden struck on 71 minutes to give the Rotterdam club their second consecutive Eredivisie victory, following their 1-0 win last week against fellow relegation strugglers and city rivals Sparta.

The visitors made a statement of intent in the very first minute, Sebastian Prado finding Robert Braber in the box but the Dutchman sent his header over the bar.

It was Excelsior's last chance of the half as the home side and Brett Holman in particular took charge of the game.

The Australia international wove through the Excelsior back line after seven minutes and fired a low shot that Ronald Graafland parried away for a corner.

Four minutes later Holman again got a chance on the break but made a mess of his shot.

Holman then came close again before the end of the half with a speculative effort from outside the area that came back off the post and was scrambled clear.

In the second half Holman continued where he left off.

Jhonny van Beukering threaded a ball through the midfield and the Australian got in a low shot which again Graafland was equal to.

Then with just under 20 minutes remaining Den Ouden punished the hosts for their wastefulness.

A loose ball bobbled into the NEC area and the striker - whose fitness was in doubt before the game - managed to strike it hard and high into the NEC goal.

Despite a late effort which hit the crossbar there was no way back for NEC.

They will now be looking over their shoulders as they sit just three points above the relegation play-off places, while Excelsior wait on Sunday's game between FC Utrecht and 17th-placed VVV Venlo to see if they stay out of the bottom three.