With both teams starting the day in the relegation zone, only a win could could allow either to jumpstart either team's fight for survival.
Still looking for his first goal of the campaign, Sparta midfielder Arno Verschueren came close to his inaugural score but was denied by an attentive Jeroen Houwen.
RKC struck only two minutes later as Polish striker Oskar Zawada got left unmarked by the home side's defense and could easily slot the ball home for the lead.
A pushing Sparta pumped the ball in RKC's box on several occasions with freshly added midfielder Carel Eiting delivering cross after cross, but it so far wasn't to be for the Rotterdam team.
Sparta still pulled alongside in the 24th minute when right-back Said Bakari hurt his former team by capping off a flashy dribble with a calm finish.
Only the visitors managed to create big chances after the break with striker Michiel Kramer coming closest with a header which hit the crossbar in the 88th minute, but it was not to be for either team.
Both Sparta and RKC had to settle for one point in their fights against relegation and stay in the relegation sonze for the time being.