Substitute Luis Alberto scored one minute after coming on to send Kashima Antlers clear at the top of the J-League with a 2-1 win over Shimizu S-Pulse on Tuesday.

An own goal from Yosuke Kawai put the Antlers ahead in the fifth minute before Slovenian international Milivoje Novakovic levelled for S-Pulse early in the second half.

But Brazilian Alberto struck moments after replacing Yasushi Endo in the 78th minute to send Antlers one point ahead of champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

"The manager brought me on when the scores were level because he had faith in me," said Alberto, who joined the Antlers at the start of the season from Brazilian side Vitoria.

"I came onto the pitch wanting to repay that faith," he added.

Twice-defending champions Sanfrecce moved into second after beating Sagan 2-1 thanks to an 82nd-minute winner from Naoki Ishihara.

Vissel Kobe looked set to keep pace with the Antlers when Pedro Junior gave them a 67th-minute lead against Albirex Niigata, but Japan World Cup hopeful Kengo Kawamata ensured promoted Vissel would take no more than a point when he salvaged a 1-1 draw for Albirex in the 90th minute.

Urawa Red Diamonds moved level on points with Vissel after a 1-0 win over Yokohama F Marinos, Tadanari Lee scoring with a header in the 56th minute.

Elsewhere in the J-League, promoted Tokushima Vortis finally claimed their first points of the season after 10 games, beating Ventforet Kofu 1-0 with a 73rd-minute goal from Yuya Hashiuchi.

Nagoya Grampus stopped a run of five straight defeats with a 1-0 win over FC Tokyo, Junya Tanaka scored twice to lead Kashiwa Reysol past Gamba Osaka 2-1, and Vegalta Sendai and Kawasaki Frontale drew 0-0.

In the day's other game, Kenyu Sugimoto scored in the 94th minute to natch a last-gasp 1-1 draw for Cerezo Osaka against Omiya Ardija.