Eredivisie leaders FC Twente fought off a fightback from NEC Nijmegen to remain unbeaten at the top of the table.

The hosts went in front through John Goosens before a Kenneth Perez free-kick and strikes from Blaise N'Kufo and Miroslav Stoch saw FC Twente go 3-1 up.

However, Bjorn Vleminckx scored after 41 and 45 minutes to pull NEC level before he was sent off after 55 minutes.

Ruiz then headed a late winner as Steve McClaren's side secured a 14th win from 16 games - and an 11th successive victory.

NEC went in front after 16 minutes when Saidi Ntibazonkiza played in Goosens in the penalty area and he found the bottom corner with a right-foot shot.

Two minutes later, FC Twente were level when Perez curled a free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Ruiz played in N'Kufo and he shot low into the corner to put FC Twente in front for the first time after 25 minutes.

The visitors established a two-goal lead six minutes later when Stoch controlled the ball in the left channel and curled a right-foot shot into the net.

But NEC launched a comeback in the final few minutes of the half.

Vleminckx turned Goosens' pass into the net to make it 3-2 and was soon on the scoresheet for a second time.

Patrick Pothuizen sent a low cross over to the far post from the left wing to Vleminckx who tucked in from six yards.

Perez headed straight at Gabor Babos before NEC's hopes received a blow with the dismissal of Vleminckx.

Douglas Franco won a battle with Vleminckx and the latter kicked out before being shown a straight red card.

Stoch had a header saved and NEC's Ntibazonkiza dragged a shot wide at the other end before FC Twente made their one-man advantage tell one minute from time.

Ronnie Stam's cross was met by Ruiz who headed in the winner.