Nagai's second-half double ended a run that dated back to last September and ensured Antlers were unable to regain top spot in the J. League from Nagoya Grampus, who assumed the lead after a 2-0 win at Shimizu S-Pulse on Saturday.

Oswaldo de Oliveira's side trail Grampus by a point, while Reds climbed from seventh to third courtesy of the victory.

Playing before a crowd of 54,450, it was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the first half but could not break the deadlock.

Nagai was then introduced by coach Gert Engels at the break and immediately brought more urgency to Urawa's play.

And five minutes into the second period Marcus Tulio Tanaka neatly cushioned Keita Suzuki's pass with his chest before squaring the ball to Nagai to open the scoring after drawing Kashima goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata.

Kashima tried to hit back and Mitsuo Ogasawara threatened an equaliser with a couple of dangerous free-kicks but keeper Ryota Tsuzuki proved equal to the former Japan midfielder's efforts.

Tulio came close to doubling the Reds' lead in the 88th minute before Nagai netted his second of the game a minute into stoppage time when the striker robbed Kashima defender Go Oiwa and beat Sogahata to record his third goal of the season.

"Urawa played well and deserved to win because they scored twice and we didn't," said Kashima boss Oliveira

"But our players fought hard and played well enough to win the game. We hadn't lost a game in the league since September but you have to lose one day.

"We lost the game today but we will bounce back. I'm very optimistic we can regain top spot as our players are playing like champions."

Reds coach Engels paid tribute to their opponents but was delighted with the win.

"It was a big game for both teams," he said.

"Antlers tested our defence a lot and not many teams can do that with us.

"But we fought back and scored. The first goal came at a very good time."

Elsewhere, Gamba Osaka were held to a 2-2 draw by Albirex Niigata in Osaka.

Brazilian forward Bare put the hosts ahead only four minutes into the game but compatriot Alessandro netted in the 28th and 42nd minutes to help Niigata take a half-time lead.

But Gamba grabbed a point thanks to Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo's 61st-minute penalty.

Finally, Kyoto Sanga overcame Vissel Kobe 2-1 at home, forward Yutaka Tahara scoring twice early in the first half before Yosuke Ishibitsu pulled one back for Kobe 13 minutes from time.