Jhonny van Beukering and Brett Holman popped up with the goals in the second half to condemn Utrecht to a second defeat in four days following their midweek loss to Ajax.

The victory snaps a 10-game winless run for Mario Been's troops, who remain in the relegation zone although now just one point from safety.

The game struggled to spark into life in the early exchanges, with a poor pitch causing the teams to resort to aimless long balls.

Utrecht had the first clear-cut opening of the match on 26 minutes, Cedric van der Gun breaking down the left wing and crossing for Robin Nelisse who saw his effort stopped by Gabor Babos in the NEC goal.

The hosts suffered a setback four minutes from the interval when captain Jonas Olsson came off worst in a heavy challenge and left the field on a stretcher with a lower-leg injury to be replaced by Jeroen Drost.

The second period was a far more entertaining affair, with NEC signalling their intent in the 46th minute when Holman ran at the Utrecht defence and flashed a shot just wide of the upright.

The hosts came close again on 58 minutes, Bas Sibum picking out Van Beukering whose shot drew a good parry from Utrecht goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

NEC finally went ahead on 68 minutes, Jeremain Lens crossing for Van Beukering to connect with a thumping downward header that Vorm got a hand to but could not keep at bay.

And Been's men put the game to bed on 79 minutes, Lens again the architect with a deep cross for Holman, who killed the ball with his first touch and lashed home with his second.

Utrecht still had chance to grab a consolation four minutes later but Nelisse's drive from a tight angle was kept out by the agility of Babos.