Match ends, Crewe Alexandra 0, Gillingham 1.
CreweCrewe Alexandra0GillinghamGillingham1
John Akinde's second-half header earned Gillingham a 1-0 win at Crewe to end a miserable run of five straight defeats.
But the Gills were fortunate to be on level terms by the time the substitute scored with a thumping header which goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen could not keep out.
Crewe wasted a host of good chances, hitting the woodwork twice, while Joe Lumley, on loan from QPR, was excellent in the visiting goal.
Charlie Kirk prodded wide from eight yards after Tom Lowery sent the ball across the box.
There was another let-off for Gillingham when Daniel Powell, played in on goal by former Gills striker Mikael Mandron, thudded a shot against the outside of a post.
Kirk cut in and fired straight at Lumley and Powell wasted another chance as he lifted a header over with only the keeper to beat.
Lumley kept out Mandron's effort from inside the box and then got a hand to divert Callum Ainley's rising drive over as Crewe offered a constant threat but without a finish.
For Gillingham, Jordan Graham glanced the top of the woodwork with a corner and ex-Crewe frontman Vadaine Oliver pulled a volley past the far post.
After the restart, Harry Pickering drove in a low cross which Mandron clattered onto the near post, with the ball rebounding into Lumley's arms.
But just three minutes after coming off the bench, Akinde made Crewe pay when he rose to meet Graham's cross from the left with a powerful header.
Another excellent delivery from Graham was met by Tom O'Connor, whose header hit the roof of the net.
Lumley kept out substitute Owen Dale's snapshot as Crewe searched in vain for an equaliser.
Report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Crewe
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Jaaskelainen
- 2NgBooked at 75mins
- 29Beckles
- 17OffordBooked at 12mins
- 3Pickering
- 11AinleySubstituted forFinneyat 75'minutes
- 4Wintle
- 8LowerySubstituted forZanzalaat 88'minutes
- 7PowellSubstituted forDaleat 69'minutes
- 12MandronBooked at 82mins
- 10Kirk
Substitutes
- 9Porter
- 13Richards
- 14Finney
- 15Zanzala
- 19Dale
- 22Sass-Davies
- 28Murphy
Gillingham
Formation 4-4-2
- 31Lumley
- 2Jackson
- 5Tucker
- 3Ogilvie
- 6Medley
- 10Graham
- 8Dempsey
- 14McKenzie
- 21O'ConnorSubstituted forWillockat 90'minutes
- 11CoyleSubstituted forAkindeat 55'minutes
- 19OliverSubstituted forSamuelat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Willock
- 9Samuel
- 12Walsh
- 15Akinde
- 23Woods
- 26Maghoma
- 35Drysdale
- Referee:
- Kevin Johnson
Match Stats
Home TeamCreweAway TeamGillingham
- Possession
- Home74%
- Away26%
- Shots
- Home21
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home8
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Crewe Alexandra 0, Gillingham 1.
Post update
Foul by Offrande Zanzala (Crewe Alexandra).
Post update
Joe Lumley (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Hand ball by Dominic Samuel (Gillingham).
Post update
Attempt missed. Oliver Finney (Crewe Alexandra) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mikael Mandron.
Substitution
Substitution, Gillingham. Matty Willock replaces Thomas O'Connor.
Post update
Offrande Zanzala (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Kyle Dempsey (Gillingham).
Substitution
Substitution, Crewe Alexandra. Offrande Zanzala replaces Tom Lowery.
Post update
Corner, Crewe Alexandra. Conceded by Robbie McKenzie.
Post update
Attempt missed. Perry Ng (Crewe Alexandra) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt saved. Oliver Finney (Crewe Alexandra) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Owen Dale with a cross.
Post update
Tom Lowery (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by John Akinde (Gillingham).
Booking
Mikael Mandron (Crewe Alexandra) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Omar Beckles (Crewe Alexandra).
Post update
Connor Ogilvie (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Crewe Alexandra. Conceded by Connor Ogilvie.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Harry Pickering (Crewe Alexandra) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mikael Mandron.
