Filip Djuricic goal was enough to hand Heerenveen a fifth consecutive Eredivisie win at the expense of NAC Breda.
Serb midfielder Djuricic struck in the 34th minute to secure the 1-0 victory for hosts Heerenveen, who saw off some late pressure from NAC to hold out for three points at Abe Lenstra Stadion.
Feyenoord were stunned by a late goal from Robert Braber on Saturday, which earned RKC Waalwijk a 1-1 draw in the Dutch Eredivisie.
A penalty from Swedish striker John Guidetti in the 77th minute looked to have won the game for the hosts but the Rotterdam-based club missed the chance to move level with third-placed Heerenveen on the league table when Braber headed home with three minutes to go.
Elsewhere, VVV Venlo scored four second-half goals to beat fellow strugglers De Graafschap 4-1.
The home side took the lead in the 13th minute through Rydell Poepon but after half-time VVV dominated.
Goals from Danny Holla, Maya Yoshida, Steven Berghuis and an own goal from Ted Van de Pavert completed the come-from-behind victory, meaning De Graafschap remain bottom of the league while VVV are still three points from safety.
In other Eredivisie results on Saturday, Heracles moved to within one point of Roda JC after beating the eighth-placed club 2-1 and ADO Den Haag drew 1-1 at home against Excelsior.
