Bas Dost struck a 77th-minute equaliser to earn Heracles Almelo an away draw against Roda JC in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie.

The hosts had gone ahead against the run of play when Mads Junker struck in the 39th minute before Dost got Heracles back on terms.

Both sides could have even won it late on with Roda midfielder Kris De Wree twice hitting the woodwork in the closing stages while at the other end Everton's close-range shot was somehow kept out by home goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton.

The Polish stopper's intervention ensured the tie remained balanced heading into the next leg on Sunday.

Heracles have been the surprise packets of the Eredivisie season after only just managing to stave off relegation last term.

They missed automatic entry into the Europa League by six points and any fears they would be content with their efforts so far were soon extinguished as they dominated the opening period.

Everton drew a good early save from Tyton before Samuel Armentoros headed a Mark Looms cross wide.

It was Roda who went ahead six minutes before the break though.

Jan Paul Saejis delivered a cross to the back post where Boldizsar Bodor showed composure to direct the ball into the path of Junker to fire home.

Heracles maintained their attacking edge after the break with Everton heading straight at the goalkeeper when unmarked before Dost equalised.

Willie Overtoom was the architect with a cross from the right that Dost controlled before arrowing a shot into the top-left corner.

The action was not over, however, with De Wree beating Martin Pickenhagen only to see his 80th-minute effort rebound back off the left-hand post.

Everton's close-range shot was then superbly kept out by Tyton before De Wree was again cursing his luck three minutes from the end as he planted a header against the crossbar.