Mu Kanazaki's late brace earned Sagan Tosu a 2-1 win in their J-League first-division relegation clash with Vegalta Sendai on Saturday.

Kanazaki won a penalty and converted from the spot to equalize in the 77th minute before scoring the winner with a dogged effort six minutes later.

The win moved Sagan up to 16th place in the 18-team J1 on 27 points, two ahead of Matsumoto Yamaga, who drew 0-0 at home with Oita Trinita. Vegalta remained 15th, but are now just one point clear of the drop zone.

Trailing 1-0 after Ryohei Michibuchi opened the scoring with a volley in the 20th minute at Saga's Ekimae Fudosan Stadium, Kanazaki equalized with his first goal in three games.

(Mu Kanazaki celebrates after leveling from the penalty spot)

As he tried to round Vegalta midfielder Yoshiki Matsushita in the penalty area, the two tangled and the striker fell. The ref pointed to the spot, and after keeper Jakub Slowik had come out to have words with Kanazaki, the veteran striker sent the Pole the wrong way for an easy goal.

In the 83rd minute, Kanazaki twice created space in the left corner of the box despite a large crowd in the penalty area. He chested down a cross, fell backward and as he rose was in perfect position to head home when a scuffed shot came his way.

Elsewhere, Thailand's Theerathon Bunmathan scored his first J-League goal for Yokohama F Marinos in their 3-1 home win over Gamba Osaka, who are 14th but even on points with Vegalta in the battle to avoid relegation. The win lifted Marinos to third, level on points with second-place Kashima Antlers, who play Sunday.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima are two points back in fourth after a 2-0 win at last-place Jubilo Iwata, while Hiroki Miyazawa's winner lifted Consadole Sapporo 3-2 at Vissel Kobe.