Fernandinho scored the only goal of the game two minutes after the hour mark following a period of dominance from the home side after connecting with Mu Kanasaki's pass just inside the area as Oita claimed just a seventh win of the season.

And after Kashima Antlers beat Kyoto Purple Sanga 1-0 yesterday, the defending champions remain two points clear of second-placed Kawasaki with just two games remaining.

"Oita played better than we did and we couldn't offer enough support to our three players up front and couldn't show the good parts of our game," said Kawasaki manager Takashi Sekizuka.

"But we still have two games to play and we should keep our heads up. It's important for us to win our next game at home and collect three points."

Elsewhere, JEF United, who will also be playing in the second division next season, beat 10-man FC Tokyo 2-1 to end their 15 match winless streak.

Tatsunori Arai opened the scoring for the home side after 26 minutes before Shingo Akamine pulled FC Tokyo level five minutes later.

But two minutes after the hour mark, after coming off the bench at half-time Brazilian striker Neto Baiano struck before FC Tokyo striker Sota Hirayama was sent-off after collecting a second yellow card as JEF United claimed just a fifth win of the season.