The Reds, who had not lost at home in 25 games since September 2005, overwhelmed the visitors with possession and could have gone ahead in the first half, but were denied on three occasions when Frontale goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima denied midfielder Shinji Ono, striker Washington and Yuichiro Nagai.

Midfielder Ponte had the best chance for the home side in the first half - the Brazilian's strike drifting inches wide of the upright 11 minutes before the break.

Despite the home side's pressure Frontale took the lead five minutes after the break as Masaru Kurotsu burst down the left wing and beat two Urawa players before picking out Ganaha at the far post and the Japan international made no mistake from close range.

Six minutes later, Brazilian forward Juninho cut inside from the left flank and sent in a fine cross for Magnum, who doubled Frontale's advantage with a neat close-range finish.

The Reds reduced the deficit after 65 minutes when defender Satoshi Horinouchi, who played in place of injured Marcus Tulio Tanaka, headed home a Washington lob from close range.

The hosts continued to rally and came close to snatching a point with six minutes remaining, but Yuki Abe was denied by Kawashima as Frontale secured a 2-1 win.

"I'm grateful to our players," said Frontale manager Takashi Sekizuka. "They fought really hard and were determined to win and we've claimed our first win against the Reds in Division One.

"I'm content with our play today and the fact that we stopped their 25-game unbeaten run."

Urawa manager Holger Osieck, who watched his side slip to third in the table, said: "It's a pity. Our opponents went into the second half well and scored two goals quickly.

"But our players hung on in there well with strong desire for a win. We lost today, but that doesn't mean we are weak at home and we've shown our toughness here."

Frontale moved into second place, ahead of the Reds by virtue of goal difference, a point adrift of leaders Nagoya Grampus Eight, who moved back to the top of the table after a 2-0 home win over Vissel Kobe

Norway striker Frode Johnsen struck four minutes before the break and Keita Sugimoto headed home the second a minute later for Nagoya, who had slipped down the table following a 1-0 defeat by Omiya Ardija last week.

Struggling Ventforet Kofu beat 10-man Kashiwa Reysol 3-2 thanks to two late goals from substitute Kazunari Hosaka, while JEF United Chiba downed visiting Omiya Ardija 1-0.

FC Tokyo beat Yokohama FC 1-0 at home, Kashima Antlers won 2-1 at Shimizu S-Pulse and Sanfrecce Hiroshima were held to a goalless draw by Albirex Nigata.