Crewe 1 Gillingham 0: League 2 match report from the Mornflake Stadium, Gresty Road

Gillingham were unable to make their good chances count as they were beaten by Crewe on Saturday.

The Gills had several big opportunities before Crewe took the lead through substitute Adrien Thibaut on 65 minutes - their first attempt on target. That one goal was enough for the home side to take all three points.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth made just one change to the Gills starting line-up as Robbie McKenzie replaced Bradley Dack in the XI. It meant recent signing Cameron Antwi was named on the bench again.

Gillingham were facing two away games in four days, and with both Crewe and midweek opponents Chesterfield sitting between themselves and the play-offs, they were games of significance.

The Gills had beaten Crewe 1-0 earlier in the season, at a time when they were heading for top spot. It’s been a struggle since those early months, and Ainsworth’s side started the weekend eight points off the play-off places.

Crewe had a decent home record ahead of the game, unbeaten at the Mornflake Stadium in their previous nine.

It was an even opening to the game with Garath McCleary looking sharp early on for the Gills and Crewe’s Tommi O’Reilly a handful on the opposite side.

McCleary’s trickery was an outlet down the right for the Gills and he combined well with striker Ronan Hale on a couple of occasions.

It was McKenzie who had the best of the early openings after being found in space by Hale but the shot was off target.

O’Reilly was always a threat and got lots of the ball, putting in a couple of dangerous balls into the box, but it was the Gills wh went closest to taking the lead before the break.

Sam Vokes met a corner from Armani Little at the far post but couldn’t beat keeper Ian Lawlor.

Gills reached the half without a