A Christian Santos double ensured NEC Nijmegen came out on top in the Gelderse Derby against De Graafschap.
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NEC have performed above expectations this season and they went into the tie against bottom side De Graafschap as heavy favourites, However it was the away side who came closest to opening the scoring early on, but Cas Peters lob dropped just wide of the post.
On the half hour mark NEC took the lead out of nowhere as Alexander Bannink was punished for handling in the box, and Santos made no mistake with the penalty.
Bannink nearly made amends for his error by drawing De Graafschap level in the second half, but his goalbound effort was excellently saved by Benjamin Kirsten. The away side sensed an equaliser, but as they threw men forwards a swift counter was finished off by Santos to ensure NEC the points.
De Graafschap remain bottom, while NEC move sixth and level on points with Vitesse.
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