Ismail Aissati's last minute goal denied AZ Alkmaar the victory which would have kept them in touch with the Eredivisie's top five.

After a low quality first half, Graziano Pelle gave AZ the lead - but Aissati's impressive late goal earned the struggling Arnhem side a point.

The respective midfields were on top in a first half of few chances. AZ's only noteworthy chance before the break came in the 21st minute when Brett Holman tried his luck from 20 yards - but Eloy Room saved easily.

The home side's best first-half effort came when Alexander Buttner's 20-yard strike was parried around the post by goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

AZ broke the deadlock in the 47th minute when Pelle received a ball from Pontus Wernbloom and outwitted Room in his one-on-one battle with the goalkeeper.

Vitesse threatened in the 70th minute when Guram Kashia whipped in a dangerous cross from the right which posed problems for the home defence but ultimately rolled across the face of goal.

Two minutes later AZ's Australia international striker Holman brought an excellent save out of Room, who dived full-stretch to parry.

Eight minutes from time the visitors had an escape when Jop Van Der Linden rose above the defence to head a free-kick against the post.

But with time running out Vitesse got their reward when Aissati beat two defenders and unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards which gave Romero no chance and took two points away from the visitors.