Eredivisie wrap: NEC edge out Vitesse

NEC Nijmegen clinched a thrilling 3-2 win at home to Vitesse in their Eredivisie Europa League play-off first leg on Thursday.

Alex Pastoor’s men needed a controversial own goal from Frank van der Struijk in the 88th minute to secure the vital win at Stadion de Goffert.

NEC will take the narrow advantage into the second leg at Vitesse on Sunday.

After a quiet start, Vitesse went ahead just after the half-hour, with Nicky Hofs heading in Giorgi Chanturia’s cross.

The hosts responded three minutes before the break as midfielder Navarone Foor reacted fastest to tap in after Piet Velthuizen could only parry a Kevin Conboy header.

The match was interrupted by a thunderstorm on the hour-mark, forcing the players off for 15 minutes.

Vitesse started the better when play resumed, and they took the lead thanks to Wilfried Bony’s powerful strike from 18 yards on 61 minutes.

Lasse Schone struck the crossbar for NEC before equalising in the 79th minute, netting from the penalty spot after Van der Struijk brought down Genero Zeefuik.

Van der Struijk’s match got worse two minutes from time as he poked in an own goal after a Melvin Platje cross.

The defender desperately cleared, but the assistant referee ruled the ball had crossed the line, giving NEC a 3-2 win.

In the other game, Twente played out a 1-1 draw at RKC Waalwijk.

Douglas’ 14th-minute opener at Mandemakers Stadion was cancelled out by Ricky ten Voorde’s first-half penalty.