2004 wont go into 1st or 2nd randomly

i have a 2004 citroen c3.
sometimes when i'm in say 3rd & need to come to a stop or drop into 2nd i can't go accross into either 1st or 2nd & have to go into reverse or 5th to rectify the problem.
i've taken my car to the garage where he replaced the clutch (was worn anyway) but the problem still persists.
as far as i know he linkage is a cable linkage as apposed to a rod so if the linkage cable was damaged it wouldnt work at all?
problem occurs randoml, i can go a week without an issue or it can happen 5-6 times in a day.

any help appreciated, cheers

(Maunal 5 Gear, 1.1)
I have a similar issue where sometimes I can't select reverse gear. In order to fix this, I have to either put the C3 in first gear and switch back to reverse, or go forward with first gear for a bit and then stop and put it in reverse.

JamesRG wrote: ↑Tue Nov 06, 2018 10:16 am as far as i know he linkage is a cable linkage as apposed to a rod so if the linkage cable was damaged it wouldnt work at all?

The linkage cables to get worn, the mountings get broken.

There is a topic here Excessive sloppy gearstick movement - how to repair

but the ends of the linkage are a ball and socket joint and these may have become worn.