The Gills had towintobecertain of staying up and despite going a goal down early on their chances looked good as Crewe also trailed at home to Coventry at the break.
What is certain is that with the presidency at stake, every effort will be made by the competing coalitions towin their backing of the regional representatives.
Since there will be stiff political resistance to a bank clean-up no matter what, Mr Koizumi and Mr Takenaka must make certain they win on this point before doling out any public-spending goodies.