SPARTA FALL BUT STAY TOP

SPARTA ROTTERDAM fell to a 2-1 defeat at Cambuur Leeuwarden, but still top play-off Group B on goal difference.

Sparta looked to be cruising towards their second successive victory when Nourdin Boukhari fired them in front on 34 minutes, but the home side hit back with a Jan Bruin penalty shortly before the interval.

The game looked to be petering out towards a draw, but Cambuur grabbed a vital three points when Leonard van Utrecht scored an injury-time winner.

All four teams in Group B, the others being Excelsior and Go Ahead Eagles, have three points.

FC Volendam`s chances of top-flight football took a knock after they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Telstar.

Volendam are rooted to the bottom of Group A with no points, while Telstar top the table after the first round of games.

Visitors Volendam took the lead in the 56th-minute through Quincy van Ommeren, but strikes on 77 and 86 minutes by Arvid Smit and Melvin Holwijn respectively gave Telstar the three points.

Sunday`s other Group A game saw Zwolle and Fortuna Sittard play out a tense 0-0 draw, meaning both sides have one point.