Things looked bad for the hosts when Hideo Tanaka was sent off in the 75th minute but Hiroti Mogi scored the game's only goal eight minutes later to ensure his side live to fight another day.

Vissel are within one point of 15th-placed FC Tokyo and travel to Urawa Reds next week in the final game of the season.

Nagoya Grampus, who have already been confirmed as 2010 J.League champions, edged Jubilo Iwata 2-1.

Keiji Tamada and Yoshizumi Ogawa scored for Nagoya before Ryoichi Maeda netted a late consolation for Jubilo.

Shunsuke Nakamura struck as Yokohama F Marinos won 2-0 at Gamba Osaka, who are bidding to seal a top-three finish and with it a place in next year's Asian Champions League. Kazuma Watanabe was also on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Elsewhere, Junya Osaki's last-minute goal gave Sanfrecce Hiroshima a 1-0 win over Vegalta Sendai while FC Tokyo were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Montedio Yamagata.

Sota Hirayama put FC Tokyo ahead in the 74th minute but Yuzo Tashiro equalised four minutes from time

Yuki Fukaya rescued a point for Omiya Ardija as they drew 2-2 with Albirex Niigata to cement their place in the J.League next season.

Rafael put Omiya ahead in the 19th minute but the visitors turn the game on its head with two goals in 10 minutes from Yuta Mikada and Marcinho.

However, Fukaya fired home just after the hour to secure a draw.

Finally, Kawasaki Frontale and Urawa Reds shared a 1-1 draw with Takuro Yajima's early goal cancelled out by a Sergio Escudero strike.