Wednesday's night's top-of-the-table encounter between PSV Eindhoven and Ajax failed to live up to its billing as the arch-rivals played out a frustrating draw at the Philips Stadion.

In a game rescheduled from March 9 after police strike action forced the cancellation of the original encounter, neither side found their stride during 90 scrappy minutes to enable PSV to maintain their four-point advantage over Adrie Koster's men at the summit.

The first chance of the opening period went the way of the visitors on 26 minutes, Bruno Silva firing in a shot from the right side of the area that whistled just wide of the upright.

After a swift counter attack following that chance, PSV came close when Timmy Simons fired in an effort that was just off target.

Ajax did get the ball in the net on 39 minutes after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar played in Luis Suarez to slot the ball home, but the effort was chalked off for offside by the referee.

The second half was a much more open affair with a number of chances at either end of the park.

Suarez sneaked in with the opening chance of the half on 47 minutes but PSV goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes got down well to make the save.

On 66 minutes PSV came close when Jan Kromkamp's cross was met by the head of Danny Koevermans but the ball flew over the bar.

The best chance of the night went the way of the visitors on 70 minutes.

Rasmus Lindgren's shot from 20 yards was blocked by Carlos Salcido, the ball ricocheting up into the air for Johnny Heitinga to meet with a header that hit the right post and Gomes gathered.

PSV's Otman Bakkal went close with a shot on 80 minutes that flew over, while the last chance of the night went the way of the Amsterdammers five minutes later, Urby Emanuelson playing in Huntelaar who failed to find the target from six yards.

More news from SportingLife.com