Victory, combined with results elsewhere, would have enabled the men from Enschede to close within four points of top spot with three games to play.

Karim El Ahmadi pulled them level after 22 minutes after Igor Gluscevic had opened the scoring for Heracles.

But no more goals were scored and only a freak set of results could allow Twente to win the title now.

Twente were first to threaten as Orlando Engelaar crossed towards Kennedy Bakircioglu whose header was saved with both his fists by Martin Pieckenhagen.

Pieckenhagen then produced another fine save to deny 20-goal striker Blaise N'Kufo, whose header from a Bakircioglu cross had looked goalbound.

Heracles then took the lead after eight minutes as Gluscevic stole between two defenders to chip Sander Boschker.

Ruud Brood's side looked boosted by that early strike and soon Rob Friend forced a save from Boschker.

The equaliser came midway through the second half when Bakircioglu released El Ahmadi, whose low shot found the net.

Engelaar next forced Pieckenhagen to make a one-handed save

Twente continued to press in the second half and Bakircioglu fired just over before Socceroo Luke Wilkshire crossed towards Rob Maas only for Eddy Bosnar to make a saving header.

Pieckenhagen made another fine save to keep out a shot from Bakircioglu but the final chance fell to Heracles.

Boschker had to be quick off his line to foil Friend, who was bearing down on goal.

With the title now apparently beyond them, Twente can now start to focus on the play-offs for the second Champions League berth while Heracles still occupy a relegation play-off spot.