Group A leaders FC Tokyo drew 1-1 away to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the nick of time in the Nabisco Cup on Wednesday.
Yohei Hayashi came off the bench to equalize in the 91st minute, cancelling Kohei Shimizu's strike after 79 minutes for Hiroshima, which are two points off the pace.
With one match remaining in the league cup group phase, the draw left Tokyo on top with 11 points from five games, three points ahead of Albirex Niigata, Shonan Bellmare and Sagan Tosu in order of goal difference.
Niigata defeated Shonan 2-0 at home while Tosu was held to a 0-0 draw at Ventforet Kofu.
In Group B, Vissel Kobe stayed in second place after losing 2-1 at home to Shimizu S-Pulse. Kobe remained on eight points, three points behind idle Nagoya Grampus in first place.
Montedio Yamagata moved level on points with Kobe after defeating Vegalta 2-1 in Sendai. Kawasaki Frontale also has eight points following a 2-1 win away to Yokohama F. Marinos.