The Hague, Feb 6 (IANS): Ajax Amsterdam lost 0-1 at home to AZ Alkmaar, losing further ground to Dutch football league leaders PSV Eindhoven.

With new signing Daley Sinkgraven, who came over from sc Heerenveen, in the starting line-up, Ajax were the better team in the first half Thursday, creating some minor chances, reports Xinhua.

In the second half, AZ came back into the match and the visitors were boosted by a red card for Niklas Moisander in the 61st minute.

Moisander slightly touched AZ striker Aron Johannsson, who was looking for a breakaway, and referee Pol van Boekel showed the Ajax captain a straight red.

Johannsson went on to become the match winner in the 76th minute by tapping-in a shot by Simon Poulsen.

Ajax suffered their second consecutive defeat and failed to score in their third league match in a row after a 0-0 draw at Feyenoord and a 0-1 loss to Vitesse.

With 55 points from 21 matches, PSV now have a 12-point advantage over second-placed Ajax.