Gearbox Dying?

[moonshine_madness]

Hi, this is my first post and it would be a problem .
I recently bought a 95 Ford Escort 1.8TD with a manual gearbox. A lovely car with 85000 miles on the clock.
Today was driving to see a friend when a problem arose. I went to go fourth to fith gear and as i push against the side of the gear box something gave way. (Didnt put much pressure on just quite a loose gearbox anyway). Whatever happened has now caused several worrying symptoms.

A) Huge amounts of play within the box and within gears.
B) Reluctancy to go into 2nd gear and reverse (For second the gearstick has to be pulled at an angle, plus it doesnt seem to go in completely)
C)Tendancy to jump out of 2nd gear and reverse
D) A knocking/tapping sound when gear stick is moved side to side in neutral.

All gears work but as said, reluctantly, in 2nd and reverse. Havent had any refusal to move. No other odd sounds.
Is this something relitively simple to fix or could i need a replacement box?

Thanks for any help

Mikee