Mitch Duke scored his sixth goal of the season but Japanese J1 League leaders Machida Zelvia suffered a 2-1 home loss to midtable Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday.
Duke produced a trademark header to offer Machida hope late but they couldn’t find a late leveller.
The Socceroo put in a full shift and nodded home Hokuto Shimoda’s cross from the left side.
Machida remain five points clear of second-placed Gamba Osaka who also lost on Saturday.
Elsewhere in J1, Mitch Langerak played a full game as Nagoya Grampus drew 3-3 with Vissel Kobe, while Thomas Deng put in a full shift as Albirex Niigata won 2-1 at Cerezo Osaka.
In Korea’s K League 1, Henry Hore was a 55th minute substitute in Gangwon’s 4-0 victory over Jeju United.
In Korea’s K League 2, Lachlan Wales provided two assists after scoring a fortnight ago in his Gyeongnam debut.
On Saturday, Wales set up both goals for Gyeongnam as they raced to a two-goal lead before drawing 2-2 with Bucheon 1995. Wales put in a full shift.
Peter Makrillos started and played 67 minutes in Suwon Bluewings’ 0-0 draw with Chungbuk Cheongju.
In Scotland’s Premier Sports Cup, Martin Boyle and Lewis Miller both played full games in Hibernian’s shock 1-0 loss to third tier Kelty Hearts, for whom Murray Miller put in a full shift.
Ryan McGowan played a full game and Tete Yengi started and played 77 minutes in Livingston’s 1-0 win over Dunfermline.
In transfer news, Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan joined Italian Serie A club AS Roma on a reported one-year deal with the option of an additional season. Ryan will wear no.98 and is likely to play back-up to Mile Svilar.
