It took a 39th-minute own-goal from Steve Olfers to secure the win for Ajax. The RKC defender extended a leg to toe-poke an inswinging Rafael van der Vaart corner past his own goalkeeper from close range.
Van der Vaart's return from a groin strain injected some enterprise into the recently impotent Ajax offense as the young international three times popped up in scoring positions in the first half.
Ajax's Belgian striker Wesley Sonck twice spurned inviting chances which arose from persistent work down the flanks from Van der Vaart and Romanian winger Nicolae Mitea.
And Mitea produced an inspired and rapid dribble to cut the RKC defense wide open but scooped his shot over the bar.
French league
Paris Saint-Germain stayed in third place in the French first division on Saturday and extended its unbeaten streak to 15 league matches after a 1-1 home draw with close rival Sochaux.
Portugal striker Pauleta notched his 12th league goal of the season from the penalty spot to give PSG a 49th-minute lead. But Tunisia striker Santos leveled for fourth-place Sochaux in the 55th.
Monaco tops the table with 58 points, with Lyon second on 54 and PSG chasing hard on 51. Monaco beat Guingamp 3-1 and Lyon crushed Ajaccio 4-0 in Friday's games.
In the basement battle, Le Mans remains in last spot, with Montpellier and Guingamp making up the relegation places.
Toulouse climbed away from the drop zone after winning 1-0 away at struggling Montpellier.
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