NIGEL Jemson will be hoping 'may the best man win' at First Division leaders Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

The Bury striker is already a villain with his former City Ground fans after playing his part in Oxford United's recent shock 3-2 victory at Forest with one of the goals.

And he aims to turn party pooper again when he comes face to face with his Forest mates for the last time before he joins up with them for a close season celebration.

Jemson is lined up to be best man at the wedding of Forest keeper Mark Crossley days after the end of the season when Dave Bassett's men will also be expecting to have promotion to celebrate.

But he is determined to put the party spirit on hold as Bury bid to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches at his old club where he played for three years before an £800,000 move to Sheffield Wednesday.

"I've still got a lot of links with the club," explained the classy 28-year-old striker who scored his first goal in eight games since joining the Shakers in a £100,000 deal with Oxford United and is yet to be on the losing side.

"I've still got a house there and I'm on friendly terms with the Forest lads.

"But I've already helped beat them there once this season with Oxford and hopefully that will be a lucky omen for us tomorrow.

"It's going to be very tough because Forest are a very good team and deserve to get promoted.

"But when you are on the kind of run that we are on at the moment the confidence is high and you feel you can go to a place like Forest and at least get a point out of the game.

"The next two games are special to me with Oxford coming after Forest. I can't wait."

Jemson will have to wait to learn whether Rob Matthews or Tony Ellis will partner him up front.

Matthews faces a late test on his injured hamstring which forced him off early in last Saturday's victory over Norwich when he was replaced by Ellis on his return from a two-match suspension.

But a reshuffle is certain in both defence and midfield with centre half Paul Butler starting a two-match suspension and all action Lenny Johnrose serving a one-match ban.

Peter Swan staked his claim for a return to the side when he struck twice for the Reserves in midweek when record signing Chris Swailes also made a bid for a first team recall.

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