De Graafschap suffer the drop

By Berend Scholten

De Graafschap were relegated from the Dutch Eredivisie tonight as Sparta Rotterdam and RBC Roosendaal moved to within a point of top-flight berths next season in the penultimate round of play-offs.

Helmond comeback
Promoted through these matches last season, De Graafschap needed victory to have even slim hopes of avoiding the drop, but were held 2-2 at home by Helmond Sport. Goals from Richard Haklander and Ruslan Valeev had given De Graafschap a 2-0 half-time lead, but Ivan Cvetkov struck on 48 and 84 minutes to ensure the spoils were shared and Helmond Sport's promotion chances remained alive.

Sparta lead
However, they will have to defeat visitors Sparta on Thursday to go up after the pool leaders came from behind to overcome already-eliminated FC Zwolle 3-1 and move three points clear. Dion Esajas had put Zwolle ahead at the break, but Sparta substitute Ricky van den Bergh justified his introduction with goals on 51 and 75 minutes before a late penalty completed his hat-trick.

Roosendaal delight
Roosendaal, the 2004/05 Eredivisie team in Group A, also hold a three-point advantage courtesy of a 4-0 home win against nearest rivals FC Volendam. Danny Guijt and Pius Ikedia were on target in the first half, and although Sammy Youssouf was sent off early in the second, his team-mate Elvis Hammond made sure of victory, scoring twice in 60 seconds ten minutes from time.

Decisive fixtures
That result means Stormvogels Telstar are out of the running despite overcoming bottom team VVV Venlo 2-1. Paul Jans gave the away side a 16th-minute lead but Misha Salden and Luciano van den Berg responded before the break. To pip Roosendaal in three days' time, Volendam must win at home to Telstar and hope the leaders fall at the group's bottom club.