NEC Nijmegen claimed victory over Heracles Almelo on the final day of the Eredivisie season to clinch a place in the Europa League play-offs.

Goals in either half by Lasse Schone and Genero Zeefuik secured three points which leave NEC inside the top nine and now set for a tilt at the play-offs.

The hosts replied late on through Everton and they finish the campaign in 11th.

Zeefuik and Ryan Koolwijk went close to opening the scoring inside the first 10 minutes as NEC made a bright start.

Samuel Armenteros headed straight at Gabor Babos as Heracles threatened in the 28th minute, but within 60 seconds it was the visitors who were ahead from the penalty spot.

Antoine van der Linden was the guilty party as he upended Zeefuik in the area, and Schone kept his cool to finish in the right corner.

Babos parried from Darl Douglas shortly before the break as Heracles hit back, but the next goal went the way of NEC again in the 62nd minute.

Schone turned provider on this occasion, laying the ball into the path of Zeefuik who had an easy task to find the back of the net.

Heracles set up a tense finale when Everton broke through for Heracles in the 82nd minute and fired in a thumping shot high into the top-left corner of Babos' goal.

But the visiting defence held firm in what time remained to ensure they will play for the right to contest the Europa League next term.