The Australian international's double took his goal tally to eight this season in Japan and topscorer in the division with seven of those strikes coming in the J.League.

Kennedy opened the scoring after 39 minutes when he won a penalty for Nagoya with Vegalta defender Elizeu clumsily bundling over the big striker inside the box.

With Magnum and Keiji Tamada out of the Grampus starting eleven, the Socceroo stepped up to take the spotkick and he converted it coolly to Vegalta goalkeeper Takuto Hayashi's left only for the referee demand the shot be taken again.

Kennedy kept his cool a second time, beating Hayashi again to his left.

Nagoya looked set for a 1-0 win, until Vegalta's Brazilian substitute Fernandinho equalized with an 84th minute shot which went in off the post.

The visitors, though, managed to find a late miracle, when Kennedy powerfully headed in at the back post from Marcus Tulio Tanaka's cross to grab an 89th minute winner.

The victory is especially important for Nagoya, following losses to title challengers Shimizu S-Pulse and Urawa Reds this weekend.

Nagoya are now second, two points behind the leaders Shimizu.

Elsewhere in Japan on Sunday, Socceroo Mark Milligan put in a full shift as JEF United Chiba drew 1-1 with Avispa Fukuoka at home in the J2.League. JEF United remain second.