GILLINGHAM’S credentials as genuine play-off prospects undergo rigorous scrutiny from fifth-placed Nottingham Forest tonight at Priestfield.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler and his players know that a win would not only stretch the club’s unbeaten home sequence to an impressive 10 games but make the rest of the Nationwide League, Division 1 sit up and take serious note.

But the Gills boss also knows that the third in a succession of five home games will arguably ask more questions of his team than any of the others in the quest for a top six place.

Forest are unbeaten in their last seven games and are regarded as the best footballing side in the division. Their 4-1 pasting of Gillingham at the City Ground in September, that included a Marlon Harewood hat-trick, was the club’s most comprehensive defeat of the season.

While Hessenthaler and Co accepted that defeat with good grace in public, beneath the sporting veneer ran a simmering and self-critical undercurrent.

Centre-back Barry Ashby admits the side have a score to settle tonight. He said: “Let's be honest, they gave us a hammering up there so we owe them one. But the way we’re playing at home we can get the right result tonight.

“But we all know that it's going to be difficult because they've been in the top six all year and are a good footballing side. But it’s going to be difficult for them on our pitch, as it is for any side coming here.

“They've a few players out so it will be interesting to see how they perform tonight.”

Gillingham skipper Paul Smith is rated no better than 50-50 with a hamstring strain. He underwent a fitness test early this afternoon.

Striker Mamady Sidibe is out for two weeks with a thigh injury so fit-again Tommy Johnson, who made an immediate impact on Saturday, will partner Rod Wallace up front.

Mark Saunders, who was an injury doubt yesterday, has reported fit and plays. Hessenthaler misses the match through the second of a two-match suspension.

Midfielder Simon Osborn, who snapped an Achilles in August at Norwich, made his first appearance for more than six months as an 85th minute substitute for Paul Shaw in Saturday’s 3-0 success against Brighton.

Tonight, he is hoping for the chance to play for longer.

Forest have suffered a huge blow with the loss of 22-goal David Johnson for six weeks after he underwent surgery at the weekend to repair a tear in his cruciate ligament.

Manager Paul Hart said today: “I can’t pretend that it’s not a major blow because nobody wants to lose a player of David’s calibre.

“But while we’re disappointed, we are relieved to have got to the bottom of the problem.”

His replacement, Darren Huckerby, signed on a three-month loan from Manchester City, scored on his debut in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Watford.

Tonight’s match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports 2.