Shonan Bellmare's bid to stay in the top flight remains on shaky ground following a 0-0 draw against the visiting Shimizu S-Pulse on Friday night.
Less than a week after claiming their first league cup title, Bellmare came into the match just two points above the relegation zone and desperately seeking a win.
The S-Pulse, meanwhile, were hoping for a victory that would move them three points from the top three and a potential Asian Champions League berth.