AMSTERDAM, Feb 18 (SW) - After reducing the gap with reigning champions PSV Eindhoven from eleven to three points over the last weeks, Ajax were held to a surprising 2-2 draw by Excelsior Rotterdam.

PSV had only earned one point from their last three Eredivisie games, but achieved a hard fought victory over Heracles Almelo on Saturday as second-half goals from Jefferson Farfán and Diego Tardelli made the difference.

On Sunday, Ajax hosted relegation candidates Excelsior for what was expected to be an easy task for Henk ten Cate's side.

A powerful Edgar Davids strike put Ajax in the lead after just nineteen minutes, but Excelsior forward Andwele Slory levelled six minutes later.

And after another five minutes, it was Elridge Rojer to silence the home crowd by scoring for 1-2, but Klaas Jan Huntelaar netted Ajax' second in the 39th minute.

No goals were scored in the second half and the gap between PSV and Ajax grows back to five points.

The third title candidate, AZ Alkmaar dropped valuable points at FC Groningen. Danny Koevermans did open the score for Louis van Gaal's team in the 26th minute but Erik Nevland levelled eleven minutes into the second half.

AZ have one point less than Ajax, and both teams have to begin worrying about FC Twente. The Enschede outfit beat SC Heerenveen and trail AZ by only one point.

Next week, AZ en Ajax face each other and this will give FC Twente the opportunity to enter the top three.