Gamba came into the match with one loss in their past 18 matches, which coincidentally, also came against Ventforet Kofu.

And the visitors, who sit third-bottom, pulled off another shock to stun the home crowd at the Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium.

Brazilian Paulinho found the back of the net for the second match in succession on 62 minutes, but the result was not sealed until Mike Havenaar's stoppage time goal.

Vegalta Sendai recorded an impressive 3-1 away win at fourth-placed Yokohama F. Marinos in an exciting encounter.

Yuzo Kobayashi's goal after three minutes put the hosts in front, but Makoto Kakuda and Atsushi Yanagisawa responded almost immediately for the visitors.

Shingo Akamine finished off the match with his 55th goal which extended the visitors' unbeaten streak to seven.

In other matches, the Kashima Antlers were held to a goalless draw against the Urawa Red Diamonds while Tomoyuki Arata got the only goal in Jubilo Iwata's 1-0  win over Albirex Niigata.

Australian international Alex Brosque got the opener in his side's 1-1 draw at Kawasaki Frontale, with Juninho scoring the second-half equaliser to give his side a point.