Yokohama F. Marinos withstood a late onslaught to go top of the J. League after a 1-1 draw away to Omiya Ardija on Sunday night.

Yuji Ono headed Yokohama in front late in the first half, but Rafael leveled 16 minutes from time and Yokohama was indebted to Hiroki Iikura for some inspired goalkeeping to move ahead of Kashiwa Reysol on goal difference at the midway point of the season.

Both Yokohama and Kashiwa, who went down 3-2 at Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday, have 34 points after 17 games, while champions Nagoya Grampus (30) moved third with a game in hand after goals from Keiji Tamada and Josh Kennedy secured a 2-0 win at Montedio Yamagata.