SAITAMA — Masashi Motoyama salvaged a point in the final minute of injury time as Kashima Antlers snatched a 1-1 draw with Urawa Reds on Saturday night.
Urawa's Robson Ponte thought he had made himself the hero of the night when he broke open a tense match at Saitama Stadium in the 80th minute, but substitute Motoyama pounced in the 95th minute to stop the defending champions from falling even further behind in the title race.
Mu Kanazaki scored as league-leader Nagoya Grampus beat Kyoto Sanga 1-0 to stay five points ahead of Cerezo Osaka — 2-0 winners over Omiya Ardija — and Kashima manager Oswaldo Oliveira had mixed feelings after seeing his side slip seven points off the pace.