Heracles maintained their fine start to the season with a win against Heerenveen which moved them up to sixth in the Eredivisie.

A Mark Looms header and a Willy Overtoom penalty put the home side in total control. Heerenveen pulled one back through a Oussama Assaidi strike but Heracles sealed it when Bas Dost netted late on.

The home side have been the surprise package in Holland this season and they were quickly on the front foot once more, taking the lead in the 15th minute.

An inswinging corner from Mark-Jan Fledderus was helped on by Overtoom to Looms and he nodded home from six yards.

The visitors threatened an equaliser five minutes later but Assaidi's shot was saved by Martin Pieckenhagen.

It proved a costly miss as Heracles doubled their advantage after 26 minutes. Kristian Bak Nielsen handled Looms' centre and Overtoom slotted home from the spot.

It was nearly 3-0 on the hour mark but Overtoom's shot came back off the post.

Heerenveen threatened a revival after the break with Pieckenhagen forced into making saves from Assaidi and Darryl Janmaat.

And they finally got the goal their pressure deserved with nine minutes to go.

Assaidi found a yard of space 15 yards out and gave Pieckenhagen no chance with a crisp finish.

There was to be no equaliser though as Heracles restored their two-goal advantage in the 89th minute.

The impressive Fledderus played in Dost and he clipped the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.