Bjorn Vleminckx scored a second half hat-trick but also missed a penalty as NEC Nijmegen romped to a 4-1 win over De Graafschap in the Eredivisie.

Vleminckx scored after 48, 61 and 84 minutes but also missed a penalty after 73. Nathaniel Will also scored for the visitors with Muslu Nalbantoglu getting De Graafschap's consolation.

The home side went close to opening the scoring when Yousouff Hersi passed to Steve De Ridder and his shot from just outside the penalty area was heading for the top left corner when goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen who tipped the ball over the bar.

De Ridder then crossed for Yuri Rose but his header from close range was wide of the target.

De Ridder could have done better shortly after but after rounding Cillessen he lost the ball before regaining control and firing into the side netting.

The home side were made to pay for missing those chances when Will chipped the ball in to open the scoring after Lasse Schone split the defence with his pass from halfway.

NEC went further ahead when Niki Zimling set up Vleminckx who scored from close range.

Nalbantoglu pulled a goal back when he cut in from the right and shot with the outside of his right foot and found the bottom left corner.

Yousouf Hersi then crossed low for Rogier Meijer but his effort from three yards went over the bar and De Graafschap missed the chance to pull level.

John Goossens fired in a shot which bounced back off the chest of De Graafschap keeper Boy Waterman and Vleminckx was on hand to net the rebound to make it 3-1.

Vleminckx missed the chance to complete his hat-trick when he was brought down in the area by Hersi but his spot kick was saved low to his right by Waterman.

But Vleminckx was not to be denied and his shot from six yards went in off the bar after he had been set up by Lorenzo Davids.