THIS time last season, Kyle Perry was on a charge for Mansfield Town. Now he hopes his current rich vein of form can sink them.

The big striker signed for the Stags last summer for two years, hoping for lasting success after failing to hold down a regular place at League Two Port Vale.

Things initially went swimmingly for the former Chasetown player, as he started the season on a hot streak.

Two goals in Mansfield's opening day 4-0 win over Crawley were the start of six goals in his first ten games (including his expunged effort at Chester).

At that point, as he kept vastly experienced hitman Daryl Clare out of the side, a 20-goal season beckoned.

But then things began to go wrong, mainly, in the first instance, because of injury problems.

A thigh problem hampered the 24-year-old either side of Christmas and then, in the New Year, he became an increasingly peripheral figure because of the emergence of Jake Speight.

The arrival of Jon Shaw later in the campaign also limited his chances.

With 12 months still to run on his contract, Perry was allowed to leave the Stags for Tamworth in the summer as boss David Holdsworth juggled his finances to bring in Paul Connor, Keigan Parker and Luke Medley.

He has settled in just as quickly at the New Lamb as he did in north Nottinghamshire and already has four goals to his name in six games for Gary Mills' side.

Perry is hoping to add to that tally tomorrow on his first return to Field Mill, having netted twice in Tamworth's 2-2 draw at Kidderminster on Bank Holiday Monday.

"I have some really good memories from my time at Mansfield and I'd hoped it wasn't just a passing thing and I would be in it for the long run when I signed," he said.

"But I had to move on in the end, which was best for all parties.

"It isn't that long since I left that I am going back and maybe if it was a few more years down the line it would be more of an occasion. But you just have to treat it like it is any other game.

"I know the lads are buzzing about going there because Stags are a big club and it is a match they can hopefully enjoy.

"I have been playing up front on my own, which is hard work, but the goals have been coming and I have been taking my chances.

"It would be nice to score in this one, but I'm more interested in the team doing well."

Last season, Mansfield were beaten 2-0 at home by Tamworth in the FA Trophy before the Lambs earned a 0-0 draw at Field Mill in March.

With Mansfield in a rich vein of form, Perry knows it will be tough for the visitors this time, but still backs them to do well.

He said: "Mansfield are flying, but we have already shown we can beat a team of their esteem when we took out Luton last weekend.

"It was a comfortable win as well, there was nothing fortunate about it, and we put three goals past them.

"Mansfield will go into the game as favourites with it being at their place, but we can keep the ball for long periods and are patient."

Perry is pleased to see old friend Louis Briscoe starting the season well for Mansfield, having started all six games for the Stags so far.

"I'm got some really good friends there and Louis is probably the best of them." he said.

"We had more than our few laughs and scrapes when we were together. It's good to see he's playing well and getting in the side week in, week out.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what reaction I get from the Mansfield fans. Whether its boos or cheers, I think it will spur me on.

"We will give it our best shot and even if we go a goal down, the good thing about this Tamworth squad is that they never give in."

Just like, no matter how he played, Perry always did in a Mansfield shirt.

Forest season ticket holders can gain admission to the Quarry Lane stand tomorrow at reduced prices of £10 (adults) and £5 concessions when presenting their season ticket books.