Kawasaki Frontale withstood a late barrage to draw 1-1 at home with Kashima Antlers on Saturday, but two dropped points saw them lose top spot in the J-League.

Brazilian striker Caio put the visitors in front at 27 minutes after some horror defending from Kawasaki, whose flying right-back Elsinho headed an equaliser shortly before the break.

Kawasaki had to dig deep to preserve their unbeaten record in the season's first stage but still slipped to second with 11 points from five games, one behind Urawa Reds -- 2-0 winners over Ventforet Kofu on Friday night. Kashima remain third on 10 points.

"Kashima stifled the way we liked to play," Kawasaki coach Yahiro Kazama told reporters.

"That said, we stayed compact and didn't collapse so there are positives to take away from the game."

Curacao striker Martinus made a dream debut for Yokohama F-Marinos, smashing in the deciding goal in a surprise 2-1 victory at 2014 treble winners Gamba Osaka.

In a north-versus-south clash, Tatsuya Tanaka's first-half effort gave northerners Albirex Niigata a 1-0 win at winless Avispa Fukuoka in Kyushu.

Elsewhere, Japan defender Masato Morishige scored two rare goals as FC Tokyo saw off visiting Nagoya Grampus 3-2.

Champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima kickstarted their campaign with a 3-0 home win over Vegalta Sendai on Friday to climb to seventh.