The hosts opened the scoring in the 58th minute through Akihiro Hyodo before Shusuke Tsubouchi levelled with 14 minutes remaining for Omiya.

That goal looked like it would be enough to earn a point for the J.League strugglers but Masaki Yamamoto fired home with four minutes remaining to secure the three points for Shimizu.

The win means Shimizu are top with 18 points while Urawa Reds had the chance to reclaim first place only for the 2007 Asian Champions League winners to lose 1-0 at home to lowly Jubilo Iwata.

Norihiro Nishi grabbed the game's only goal 10 minutes into the second half as Jubilo won for only the second time this season.

Kawasaki Frontale climbed up to third with a comfortable 3-0 win over Vissel Kobe.

Renatinho opened the scoring after just five minutes before Masaru Kurotsu added a second in the 49th minute. Jong Tae-se wrapped up the victory with 12 minutes remaining.

Kashima Antlers are up to fourth after ending a run of three games without victory with a 3-1 win at Yokohama F Marinos.

South Korean Lee Jung-soo opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Kazuma Watanabe levelled for the hosts 10 minutes later.

But Kashima secured the points when Mitsuo Ogasawara put them ahead in the 51st minute and Brazilian Marquinhos got his side's third nine minutes later.

Finally, Gamba Osaka beat FC Tokyo 2-0 while a last-minute Satoru Yamagishi strike rescued a 2-2 draw for Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Albirex Niigata.