Already holding an almost insurmountable lead from the first leg NEC were confident of completing the job in Breda and they did so on the hour mark thanks to Jeremain Lens.

At the turn of the year NEC were more concerned about relegation than Europe but they bounced back in style with eight wins in their last nine matches propelling them from 14th place to eighth and the last play-off spot.

It looked like the second leg was going to go the way of the first as the visitors had a great opportunity in the seventh minute but NAC keeper Jelle Ten Rouwelaar did extremely well to deny Bas Sibum's shot.

Antony Lurling almost gave the hosts a fighting chance in the 22nd minute but he saw his effort from just outside the area saved by Gabor Babos.

NEC came close to taking the lead shortly before half-time but Jhon Van Beukering fired inches wide from 12 yards out.

The hosts almost broke the deadlock in stunning fashion 10 minutes after the break.

A superb piece of skill saw Donny Gorter pick up the ball 30 yards out before storming past three defenders and crossing towards Victor Sikora, only for the striker to miss the ball.

And 10 minutes later NEC were ahead.

Sibum sent a long cross towards Lens near the left corner and he forced his way past his opponent before firing into the bottom right corner from 10 yards out.

NAC deserved to at least earn a draw at home and should have done so in the 73rd minute but Babos pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to prevent Csaba Feher's 35-yard shot from going into the top corner.