A SECOND-HALF revival was not enough for Crewe to avoid a damaging defeat against relegation rivals winning for the first time in 18 games.

A poor showing in the first 45 against a Gillingham side enjoying the inevitable bounce in Neil Harris' first game in charge left Dave Artell's side chasing a point which seemed within their reach, but for some clever game management and resilience from a side who last won back on October 19.

In contrast, game management proved Crewe's downfall before the break as the starting XI, in need of a smooth bedding in of new faces, was disrupted by substitutions.

For the most of the second half, the Gills were camped in their own half, but Harris' side won ugly and that is what Crewe will need to do in half of their remaining 16 games. With five wins under their belt in 29 it's a tall order indeed as the gap to safety widened to eight points with those above cushioned by games in hand.

New recruits Ryan Alebiousu and Tariq Uwakwe were handed starts on the defensive flanks as Artell gave a 4-3-3 formation a rare dusting down. Dan Agyei, also signed in last Friday's transfer flurry, started up front.

The new faces drafted in during the last few days [striker Bassala Sambou was on the bench while Rekeem Harper was unavailable] - will doubtless need time to settle, although Uwakwe looks an impressive force going forward down the left and Agyei demonstrated his willingness to shoot on sight.

But the starting XI was soon under change as Chris Long was hooked off for Sambou minutes before Mikael Mandron, restored to a frontline role, hobbled off to be replaced by Chris Porter.

By that time the Alex were already looking unsteady on their feet and trailing to Danny Lloyd's 17th-minute penalty.

Will Jaaskelainen pushed out an early Lloyd strike and Mustapha Carayol drove across the face of goal as the Gills, hammered in front of their own fans 7-2 by Oxford at the weekend, looked a lively force.

They were ahead after Luke Offord found himself in the path of Stuart O'Keefe's shot with his arms taking the impact. Lloyd sent the recalled Jaaskelainen the wrong way from the spot.

It could have got worse when Lloyd was handed acres of space to run in from the left and pick out Robbie McKenzie who was fortunately off balance as he skied over at the far post.

A lengthy delay saw the half extended to the hour mark as the dangerous Carayol needed extensive treatment after a collision of heads before former Alex striker Vadaine Oliver replaced the stricken attacker.

Crewe re-emerged after the break with positive intent and Agyei forced keeper Aaron Chapman to push a low shot around the post.

Uwakwe unleashed a missile after a short corner which Chapman kept out of the far corner.

There was a let-off, though, when Oliver, latching onto a route-one ball, pulled a shot onto the inside of the post with the ball spinning across Jaaskelainen's goalmouth.

That would have been curtains for Crewe. But they were eventually drawn after more than seven minutes of stoppage time.

While the proverbial kitchen sink was thrown at the hosts there wasn't enough quality where it mattered. While Chapman excelled again to fend away a drive from Agyei, Porter shinned an effort over and Tommy Lowery drove a shooting chance straight at the keeper in the dying minutes.

Harper - who finalised a loan deal from Ipswich a couple of hours before the transfer window shut last night (Monday) - has Championship experience and a pedigree that may offer the urgency and authority that was lacking in the middle of the park, certainly in the first half.

Agyei and Uwakwe look good signings on the evidence of one outing. But with an ominous-looking March fixture list ahead it's going to take a Herculean effort to get Crewe out of the mire now.