Crewe were indebted to goalkeeper Filip Marschall as a 0-0 draw at struggling Gillingham was enough to send them back into the League Two play-off places.
In a fiery affair both sides made excellent chances, but Marschall ensured Crewe secured a point despite having Ryan Cooney sent off with 15 minutes left.
Crewe captain Jack Powell was first to go close when the ball landed at his feet following a defensive error, but he failed to find the net from 20 yards with the goal at his mercy.
A corner routine from the Gills nearly opened the scoring, but Armani Little guided a shot over from the edge of the box.
Shilow Tracey was denied by veteran Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris, with the rebound falling to Matus Holicek who blazed his effort over.
Marschall produced an excellent reaction save to deny Jimmy-Jay Morgan, with Andy Smith's follow-up brilliantly blocked.
Smith went close at the start of the second half, his header from a corner was cleared off the line, before two efforts from Sam Gale were superbly saved by Marschall.
Cooney was dismissed for a second bookable offence late on, with Crewe surviving a disallowed goal from Gills substitute Bradley Dack.
Match report provided by PA Media.
