Pauwels strikes early as Excelsior fight back before the break | OneFootball

Excelsior and Volendam drew 1-1 at Stadion Woudestein, a result that keeps Excelsior 14th and leaves Volendam 16th in the relegation play-offs.

In the second minute, Benjamin Pauwels swept a right-footed effort from outside the box into the bottom right, teed up by Juninho Bacuna.

Roy Steur then kept Volendam in front, saving Rick Meissen's rising strike (34.).

An own goal by Gibson Osahumen Yah levelled the tie for Excelsior (38.). Stijn van Gassel later held Yah's long-range attempt to preserve parity (45.). Several injury stoppages disrupted the first half.

After changes around the hour mark, Szymon Wlodarczyk slid in Gyan de Regt for a low shot that Steur smothered (68.). Moments later, Henk Veerman's header released Pauwels, who shot wide from the centre (70.).

Excelsior enjoyed 67.4% possession and produced eight attempts, two on target. Volendam also registered eight attempts and finished without a corner.

Next, Excelsior visit Sparta Rotterdam. Volendam host Telstar.