FC Utrecht missed the chance to go two points clear at the top of the Eredivisie as they were held to a draw at home by VVV Venlo.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Sandro Calabro gave them the lead with less than three minutes on the clock but they were swiftly pegged back by Dries Mertens in the 15th minute.
Mertens doubled his tally shortly before the hour mark to put Utrecht in front but Keisuke Honda snatched a deserved point with a wonder goal 12 minutes from time.
FC Utrecht were looking to continue their 100% record and knew they would end the weekend clear at the top of the table if they made it three wins out of three.
However, they got off to a poor start when Honda made a storming run from midfield before slotting a perfectly weighted pass through to Calabro who, finding himself one on one with the goalkeeper, fired home.
The hosts should have equalised five minutes later but Jacob Mulenga saw his header cleared off the goal line.
They were back on level terms in the 15th minute when Mertens cut inside and raced into the penalty area before striking home the equaliser.
Utrecht almost took a lead into half-time as, three minutes before the break, Jan Wuytens headed Mertens' corner off the crossbar.
Mertens continued to impress after the interval and fired his side in front in the 57th minute when he curled a low free-kick around the wall and into the bottom right corner from 20 yards.
Honda ensured it ended all square with stunning 30-yard strike which flew into the top right corner, giving Utrecht goalkeeper Michel Vorm no chance.
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