AZ brought an end to their run of three straight defeats in all competitions with a 2-0 victory over Shelbourne at the AFAS Stadion, extending their winning streak at home in European competition to eight matches.

Having suffered their first home loss since April in a setback against PSV, AZ were desperate for a response — and for a spark to revive an already-stuttering European campaign.

Despite controlling the ball for long stretches before halftime, the hosts struggled to create real danger. They failed to register a single shot on target in a flat opening 45 minutes.

Troy Parrott, in fine goalscoring form of late, endured a frustrating evening early on, often isolated as play bypassed him. He came close to a simple finish after 15 minutes, only for Patrick Barrett to produce a superb last-ditch intervention to deny the Irish striker.

Shelbourne, meanwhile, had little to worry about defensively. They created the only on-target effort of the first half when Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro — making his return in goal for AZ — reacted quickly to smother Ademipo Odubeko’s chance after a corner fell kindly for the Shelbourne forward.

The home side were met with boos as they headed down the tunnel, but the restart brought renewed urgency. Sven Mijnans slipped Parrott through on goal, forcing Wessel Speel into a sharp one-on-one save, before the Shelbourne keeper again denied Mijnans with a low stop from distance.

AZ’s wastefulness nearly cost them in the 67th minute. Odubeko released substitute John Martin on the counter, but Owusu-Oduro stayed big and prevented the striker from rounding him — a miss that epitomised a Shelbourne side still without a Conference League goal this season.

Moments later, AZ struck the decisive blow. After a corner was recycled to the edge of the area, Peer Koopmeiners lofted a precise, inviting cross to the back post, where Mees de Wit rose to guide a powerful header into the far corner.

Shelbourne, blunt in attack all night, never looked likely to respond — a contrast to AZ’s recent home outings, seven of which had seen both teams find the net.

Speel produced a superb save to keep Parrott from adding a second, but he was powerless to stop Isak Jensen’s long-range strike in the 87th minute, sealing the result.

The win lifts AZ into the top 24, strengthening their push for qualification, while Shelbourne’s third straight defeat in the competition leaves their hopes effectively extinguished.