Ajax missed the chance to pull away at the top of the Eredivisie table as they were held to a 1-1 draw in Utrecht.
- By Michael Bell
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With nearest rivals Vitesse drawing 1-1 with fellow title challengers Feyenoord on Friday, Frank de Boers side had the chance to move four points clear at the top.
The game started well for the Eredivisie champions with Daley Blind firing a 30-yard shot straight into the bottom corner to give Ajax the lead on 25 minutes.
However Utrecht were level less than ten minutes later with Steve de Ridder latching onto a long ball from Robbin Ruiter before rounding Jasper Cillessen and slotting into an empty net.
In the second half, Steve de Ridder nearly put Utrecht in front but saw his effort come back of the woodwork, while at the other end Viktor Fischer fired wide after good link up play with Thulani Serero.
Lasse Schone was nearly the hero for Ajax just before the end, but his shot that beat Ruiter came back off the post.
A draw just about deserved for both sides, but it means going into next week Ajax will only be two points clear at the top, while Utrecht sit 12th.