NAC scored twice in two second half minutes to take the Eredivisie points against Vitesse who finished the game with 10 men after having a player sent off.

Goals by Jonas Kolkka and Anthony Lurling separated the two sides as the visitors struggled to create many chances.

Lurling nearly opened the scoring after seven minutes when he cut inside and shot from the edge of the area wide of the far post.

Matthew Amoah just failed to connect with a cross from the right by Edwin de Graaf.

But a mistake by NAC goalkeeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar almost gifted Vitesse the opening goal of the game after 33 minutes.

He went to collect a backpass but failed to see Vitesse striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel was close.

Van Wolfswinkel looked to have a simple tap-in but defender Patrick Mtiliga was able to clear the ball just before it crossed the line.

The home side took the lead after 47 minutes when De Graaf passed to Amoah, who set up Kolkka.

His shot beat goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen before finding the bottom left corner.

A minute later a long ball from De Graaf found Csaba Feher and his cross was perfect for Lurling at the back post.

Lurling held off his marker and chipped Velthuizen, who was falling back when he got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

Van Wolfswinkel picked up his second yellow card after 52 minutes when he was booked for a foul on Feher.

Vitesse's Civard Sprockel almost scored an own goal when he slid in to deflect just wide following a cross by Kolkka.

Heerenveen's European woes crossed over into their domestic campaign tonight as they succumbed to an inspired second-half display by Sparta Rotterdam.

The teams went in at half-time with the scoreline blank, but five goals after the break made for an enthralling encounter at Sparta Stadion.

Erik Falkenburg grabbed the opening goal for the hosts after 51 minutes but that was cancelled out two minutes later when Gerald Sibon levelled for Heerenveen, who this week bowed out of the UEFA Cup after failing to win any of their group-stage matches.

Heerenveen coach Trond Sollied's gloom deepened after 57 minutes when Arne Slot restored Sparta's lead, while Rydell Poepon made it 3-1 midway through the half.

Yuri Rose's 85th-minute goal clinched the win for Sparta, who have now scored four goals in each of their last three home games in the Eredivisie.