Excelsior and AZ played out a goalless draw in Rotterdam as they completed their Eredivisie game that was abandoned last month.
Draw with Excelsior keeps Alkmaar outfit in pole position
Excelsior and AZ played out a goalless draw in Rotterdam as they completed their Eredivisie game that was abandoned after 45 minutes due to fog last month.
The struggling home side earned an impressive point and could have even have taken all three.
Daan Smith went close with an ambitious effort from the halfway line and Leendert van Steensel hit the woodwork in the closing stages as both teams were forced to settle for a point, meaning that the Alkmaar outfit are now four points clear at the top of the table.
The 45 minutes' action started in controversial fashion as Niklas Moisander escaped with only a yellow card for an ugly challenge on Roland Alberg.
Alberg's free-kick sparked a scramble but AZ escaped, conceding only a corner, and Mick van Buren could get no power on his shot shortly afterwards.
Impressive
Visiting goalkeeper Esteban denied Alberg before AZ finally threatened, Simon Poulsen setting up Brett Holman whose shot was repelled by keeper Wesley de Ruiter.
Smith brought the impressive crowd of around 3,500 to their feet when he won possession ahead of Jozy Altidore in the centre circle and, spotting Esteban off his line, went directly for goal.
Esteban backpedalled to clutch the shot underneath the crossbar.
Adam Maher fired just wide for the hosts before AZ went close at the other end, Van Steensel turning and shooting against the top of the crossbar.
And as the truncated encounter ticked to a close, the hosts were happy simply to clear their lines at every opportunity.
