grab the gearstick and lift it upwards, if there is movement the housing under the car needs to be replaced. if worn this makes lining it up properly a bit of a mission.
if you don't have the alignment tool what i do is loosen the pinch bolt, then put it in 3rd. wiggle the stick left & right till its centred, then try 1st, reverse & 5th. if all is well do up the pinch bolt, if not put it in 3rd again and tweak it in the required direction.