TILBURG, Apr 5 (SW) - SC Heerenveen are a big step closer to a spot in the Dutch Champions League play-offs after a 3-2 win at Willem II Tilburg on Saturday.

Heerenveen travelled to Tilburg knowing that a win would possibly earn them a place in the play-offs, where the numbers two to five meet each other for one Champions League berth.

But less than two minutes had been played when Boutahar opened the score for the home side.

Heerenveen reacted well however and turned the score around through Pranjic and Beerens in the 28th and 31st minutes.

Poepon then levelled the score again, forcing the visitors to give it their all for the remaining 25 minutes.

The effort paid off, as Gerald Sibon netted the winning goal in the 74th minute.

FC Twente meanwhile, successfully defended their third spot with a narrow win over bottom-placed Excelsior Rotterdam.

The only goal of the match was scored by Youssouf Hersi in the 58th minute.

The action continues on Sunday, when PSV have a chance of securing the championship. The leaders have to win their match against Heracles, while Ajax would have to drop points against De Graafschap.