NIJMEGEN, Dec 30 (SW) - Ajax needed a late goal from Gabri to salvage a 2-2 draw away to NEC Nijmegen in Eredivisie action on Saturday.

Both sides left it late in this one, with Ajax not taking the lead until the 62nd minute when Kenneth Perez punched the back of the net.

But NEC came back with a vengeance, scoring two rapid-fire goals, as Romano Denneboom equalized for the home side in the 76th minute and Peter Wisgerhof snatching a stunning lead just two minutes later.

However, the lead did not last long as Gabri found an equalizer in the 80th minute to keep Ajax within a reasonable distance of PSV Eindhoven at the top.