Kawasaki Frontale squandered a fresh opportunity to make up significant ground on runaway leaders Kashima Antlers on Sunday after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Shimizu S-Pulse.
Kashima suffered arguably the biggest shock of the season with a 3-1 defeat at unfashionable Omiya Ardija on Saturday, but Frontale were unable to take full advantage and looked to be heading for defeat until defender Hiroki Ito rose to head the equalizer in injury time.
With 10 rounds left to play, Kawasaki trails Antlers by seven points, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and S-Pulse another three points off the pace.
"It was not a performance we can be satisfied with," said Ito. "We wanted at the very least to take a point. The goal came late but I guess a draw will have to do."