TOP Oss scored a 1-1 draw against nearby rivals Den Bosch on Monday night to climb to within a point of the period pacesetter.

Charles Kazlauskas went 90 minutes at his usual position of right back.

The derby visitors struck first when top scorer Eric Quekel converted from a Bart van Hintum cross just past the quarter hour.

TOP carried play in the opening 40 minutes, then suddenly found themselves level again when former Bulgaria international Georgi Hristov beat Kazlauskas to score.

Den Bosch though they'd taken a lead through Koen van der Biezen after the break, but referee Pieter Vink and his assistant ruled that the ball did not fully cross the line.

Van Hintum nearly bagged a stoppage time winner, but his effort caught the woodwork.

The Ossanaren will now travel north to FC Emmen on Friday with a one-point deficit on virtual period leaders FC Zwolle.

Scoring
TOP - Eric Quekel 14 (Bart van Hintum) 16'
DB - Georgi Hristov 6 (Benjamin Pinto) 40'

TOP - Wilko de Vogt; Charles Kazlauskas, Niek Ripson, Bart van Hintum, Leon van Dalen, Dave Zafarin, Mike Thijssen, Dirk Schoofs, Erik van der Ven (Wouter van den Herik 88'), Revy Rosalia (Rik van de Langenberg 74'), Erik Quekel