Birger Maertens scored an own goal three minutes into injury time to condemn Heracles to a cruel defeat at Heerenveen.

The home side led 2-0 with just 20 minutes remaining after goals from Michael Breuer (26) and Roy Beerens (40), the latter from the penalty spot.

But Heracles staged an amazing comeback through Willie Overtoom's 70th-minute penalty and Everton's strike six minutes later before the unfortunate Maertens put through his own net in the dying seconds.

Heerenveen dominated the early stages of the match and Bas Dost brought a good save from goalkeeper Remko Pasveer after 12 minutes.

Pasveer was called into action again soon afterwards but made a routine stop from Beerens.

But there was nothing Pasveer could do on 26 minutes when Oussama Assaidi's free-kick was headed into the top corner by Breuer.

And the goalkeeper was at fault for the home side's second goal when he was adjudged to have brought down Assaidi and the referee pointed to the spot.

Beerens took the penalty left-footed and sent Pasveer the wrong way.

Heracles looked down and out until being handed a lifeline in the 70th minute when Calvin Jong-A-Pin fouled Samuel Armenteros in the penalty area and Overtoom tucked away the spot-kick.

And just six minutes later they were back on level terms when Overtoom turned provider with a right-wing cross.

Everton's initial header was saved by Kevin Stuhr Ellegaard but the rebound fell straight to Everton to stab home from close range.

However, an unlikely point was snatched away from Heracles in unfortunate fashion when Maertens accidentally turned the ball into his own net from five yards.