Gillingham didn’t get going until the second half at Crewe, admitted boss Steve Evans.

A patched-up Gills side were a goal down at the break - thankful it was only one - but despite a much improved second 45 minutes they were unable to get on the scoresheet. Crewe sealed it with a late second goal to win 2-0.

“It’s a game of two halves for me,” said Evans. “They were better than us in the first half, we looked as if we were too open, we had people playing in unusual positions because we had no option, but we are just trying to patch up.

“Second half we had lots of the ball, lots of good opportunities and good balls into the box, lacked that bit of quality but we have one off the post and two strikers trying to put it in. It looks easier to score than miss but I am not in there so you can’t really tell.

“The second goal (conceded) is a goal we concede that doesn’t concern me, we’ve gone two at the back and five upfront trying to get back into the game.

“First half we questioned them at half time. We didn’t have to question them second half, there was no need to raise our voice. The way we played second half, if we turned up like that and played like that from 3pm it could have been a different result.”

Evans didn’t take long to make a change, taking young Bailey Akehurst off with 36 minutes gone. Harvey Lintott replaced him and came close to scoring, hitting the post. Both played in attacking roles, having previously appeared as full-back for the first team.

“We wanted a bit of purpose,” Evans said. “Bailey wasn’t having a good day, he didn’t have the best of days at Cheltenham, but he is a young man we think so highly of. It was a tactical change.

“We created three or four chances to equalise (in the second half) and I think if we equalise we win, we were so far on top, we were commanding but you also can’t take away the fact at who we left at home, eight players who would start.

“You have to understand why you are not winning games and analyse the performances and it is quite clear to anyone with an interest in Gillingham. Why are we not winning? Because nine or 10 of our players are not available, simple as that.

“For any club in League 1, Crewe have two or three out, but give them nine or 10 and try and win a game. Tough, eh?

"I have no doubts we would win the game with our team but we are not with our team.

"Even their manager said to us that we turned up with a reserve side and we were fighting to the end and we were. We conceded (a second goal) in the 92nd minute but for 25 minutes before that they were hitting balls out of their box.

"We are turning to four or five academy kids, they are a million miles from League 1, the youth team and the first team is as far as me trying to walk from Crewe to Glasgow.

"But we can give them the (young players) confidence and the belief that there is a pathway for them, and that is what we have demonstrated, but in reality they shouldn't be with us."

Report: Crewe 2 Gillingham 0