Twente, second last term in Steve McClaren's first campaign in charge, started well tonight and went ahead through Blaise Nkufo's header.

Bryan Ruiz doubled the lead just before the hour mark to complete a satisfactory night for McClaren.

After 18 minutes, Ruiz turned a Kenneth Perez cross goalwards, but saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.

Theo Janssen took the resulting set-piece short, Perez crossing for the unmarked Nkufo to head home as Ruiz appeared to block Sparta keeper Aleksander Seliga.

Nicky Kuiper's weak shot was the closest they came to doubling their lead, while at the other end Rydell Poepon's powerful effort was kept out by Sander Boschker on the stroke of half-time.

The game was all but over after 57 minutes when Perez collected a loose ball and found Ruiz, who lobbed Seliga from just inside the area, the ball clipping the crossbar before bouncing down over the line.

After 64 minutes, a desperate attempt from Nathan Rutjes from the right channel ended up near the corner flag, summing up Sparta's impotence.

Kevin Strootman then tried his luck from distance, the ball flying narrowly over the bar, and moments late Emmanuel Boakye's cross was headed wide by Yuri Rose from 10 yards out.

It was the best Sparta could muster on a night which suggested they could be in for another season of toil.