Bottom-side Montedio Yamagata narrowly missed securing a priceless victory at Matsumoto Yamaga after being pegged back by a late goal for a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.

It was the hosts, however, who went ahead in the re-arranged MEIJI YASUDA J1 League matchday 9 encounter initially through Yuzo Iwakami, the midfielder running onto Kim Bo-kyung’s pass in the seventh minute and finishing first time.

Ryusuke Sakai gave away a penalty for Yamaga and Diego converted the ensuing spot kick for the equaliser in the 35th minute.

Emboldened by the goal, Montedio emerged after the break emboldened and their endeavour paid off when Kim Byeong-young netted a sumptuous right-footed effort from outside the box with seven minutes remaining.

But the strike seemed to stir the Yamaga and they fought back just three minutes later as Naoki Maeda sent his low drive past visiting goalkeeper Nohiro Yamagishi.

The two points lost ensure Nobuhiro Ishizaki’s Montedio remain mired at the bottom of the second stage standings and the overall table.