Yuya Osako had unlocked the Ulsan defence in the fourth minute, feeding the ball into the path of the onrushing Daiju Sasaki and his first-time effort from a tight angle was pushed out for a corner by goalkeeper Moon Jung-in.

Seven minutes later the home side thought they had gone in front when Osako volleyed home Yoksuke Ideguchi’s headed pass only for the strike to be ruled out by referee Mohammed Taqi with Patrick blocking Moon’s line of sight from an offside position.

Kobe threatened again when an Ulsan corner routine broke down in the 29th minute and Ideguchi fed Patrick on a rapid counterattack but the Brazilian’s 60 yard run ended in disappointment when he dragged his shot across the face of goal.

Osako then clipped the top of the crossbar in the 35th minute with a shot on the turn as Kobe were unable to turn their dominance into a lead.

Those frustrations continued after the interval with Takahiro Ohgihara thumping his effort from distance wide of Moon’s left post but, two minutes shy of the hour mark, the opener arrived.

Osako fed the ball to his right to Yuya Kuwasaki and his pass into the penalty area was collected by Patrick with his back to goal. The striker moved to drop deep before turning on the edge of the penalty spot to hit a shot that bobbled beyond Moon.

Kobe goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa had a quiet evening until the 64th minute, when he was forced to push Choi Seok-hyun’s driven attempt over the bar.

Maekawa was on hand again to maintain Kobe’s lead in the 71st minute, diving to his right to keep out Mathias Lacava’s attempt while, four minutes later, the goalkeeper gathered Marcao’s shot from outside the area as the hosts took the points.