Kawasaki Frontale squandered the chance to return to the top of the J-League on Wednesday after being held 1-1 at home by lowly Vegalta Sendai.

It could have been worse for Kawasaki as the visitors from northern Japan took a shock lead through Shingo Tomita on 70 minutes but Ryota Oshima spared the home side's blushes by smashing home from an acute angle moments later.

The drew left Kawasaki on 21 points after 10 games in the J-League first stage, a point behind leaders Urawa Reds who had the evening off after securing their place in the last 16 of the Asian Champions League 24 hours earlier.

"That was very frustrating to watch," Kawasaki manager Yahiro Kazama told reporters.

"There were not enough players out there putting in the effort we need."

Meanwhile, Kashima Antlers closed to within a point of Kawasaki with a 2-1 home victory over Albirex Niigata after defender Daigo Nishi snatched a late winner for the seven-time champions.

In other results, Brazilian striker Leandro scored twice as Vissel Kobe thrashed Jubilo Iwata 4-1 and Keigo Numata fired the winner for Omiya's 'Squirrels' in a 2-1 at bottom of the table Avispa Fukuoka.

Yokohama's stuttering start to the campaign continued as the Manchester City-affiliated F-Marinos lost 3-1 at Nagoya Grampus to slip to ninth on 14 points.