Rainworth Miners Welfare's managers have urged the club's supporters to support Nigel Jemson and appreciate what he brings to the side.

The former Forest and Sheffield Wednesday star played a big role in their 1-0 win over local rivals Shirebrook Town at the weekend.

However, some fans remain unsure about his worth - something that Rudy Funk says he and his fellow boss, Billy Millar, want to end.

He said: "I wish people would get off Nigel's back. He's 40 years old, but if Nigel hadn't made that deciding goal it would have finished 0-0 and we would have had one point, not three.

"His vision played Jamie Whitehead in and what a great finish it was. And that's why we've kept Nigel on the park for the full 90 minutes.

"We did ask ourselves whether to make the change, but we know he's got in his locker the ability to set up the killer goal. He's done that and earned us the three points. And that is the difference he makes.

"He's won every header, and a couple of times when we sent on Massiah McDonald for the second half some of Nigel's ball play to him was a delight.

"We realise it will be physically impossible for him to play that pace week in week out, but he keeps on re-assuring us that he is up to it physically, and said today that it was the best he had felt for a long time so let's see that continue."