Twente Enschede joined the fight for third place in the Eredivisie as they extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches with a 2-0 win against Feyenoord.

A goalless draw for Ajax in Zwolle and NEC Nijmegen’s home defeat by Fortuna Sittard mean Twente are just three points behind the third-placed Amsterdammers and seven points behind Feyenoord.

The results also mean PSV, who beat bottom side Heracles 3-1 on Saturday, increased their lead at the top to 17 points and stay on course to win the league before Easter.

Feyenoord went behind at the end of the first half when goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther horribly misjudged a tame shot by Kristian Hlynsson and spilled it into his own net.

Wellenreuther was at fault for the second goal as well when he allowed Sondre Ørjasæter to beat him at the near post after picking up a pass from Hlynsson and running unchallenged into the penalty area.

Ihattaren shines

NEC dropped points for the fourth match in a row as Fortuna Sittard dealt another blow to their hopes of a top-three finish, with Mo Ihattaren playing a starring role.

The former PSV striker revived the Limburg team’s fortunes after Tjaronn Chery pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to give NEC an 18th-minute lead.

Ihattaren swung in a free-kick that looped over the entire defence, allowing Ivan Márquez to volley home the equaliser from close range.

The winger scored the second goal himself after 59 minutes, turning Devreon Fonville inside out before his disguised shot crept inside the left-hand post. Six minutes later his corner-kick was nodded in inches from the goal-line by Justin Hubner.

Ajax missed the chance to close the gap on Feyenoord as they were unable to find the net against PEC, in a match when both sides had penalty claims turned down.

Koen Kostons missed the best chance for PEC Zwolle when he was unable to control a miskick by Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Paes, shortly after Youri Regeer’s shot on the turn at the other end was smartly saved by Tom de Graaff.

Zeefuik sparkles

PSV had little trouble dispatching bottom side Heracles as a penalty by Ivan Perisic and Ismael Saibari’s well-placed strike put them in control after just 12 minutes.

Denis Man headed in a third before half-time, but a much improved Heracles salvaged some pride after the break when the lively Lequincio Zeefuik smashed in an angled shot from 20 metres that gave Matej Kovar no chance.

Telstar remain second from bottom but closed the gap on NAC Breda to one point with a 3-0 win over their rivals. Jochem Rittmeester van de Kamp scored twice before Patrick Brouwer tapped in the third five minutes from time.

Volendam moved away from the bottom three as they inflicted a sixth successive league defeat on Groningen, who slipped into the bottom half of the table.

Robert Mühren scored the winner in the 97th minute after Groningen looked to have snatched a point with a tap-in by Thom van Bergen, who had missed an open goal from point-blank range 15 minutes earlier.

AZ slump

AZ were unable to build on their midweek win against FC Noah in the Conference League as they went down 2-0 at Utrecht, who tasted victory in front of their home fans for the first time since they beat Ajax in November.

Yoann Cathline curled in the opener after nine minutes from the edge of the are before Artem Stepanova converted a penalty late in the first half.

Heerenveen climbed into the top half of the table as a volley by Jacob Trenskow and Luuk Brouwers’ precise finish were enough to beat Sparta, who have taken just two points from their four matches in February.

Results

Saturday

Heerenveen 2-1 Sparta Rotterdam

Heracles Almelo 1-3 PSV Eindhoven

NEC Nijmegen 2-3 Fortuna Sittard

Telstar 3-0 NAC Breda

Sunday

PEC Zwolle 0-0 Ajax

Twente Enschede 2-0 Feyenoord

Utrecht 2-0 AZ Alkmaar

Volendam 3-2 Groningen

Excelsior L-L Go Ahead Eagles