Dunfermline defenders do deal

Pars captains log on by resigning contracts

Much has been reported on Dunfermline's five January window acquisitions but with that all behind us Stephen Kenny has turned his attention on the players who are nearing the end of their existing contracts.  The news that two of his key defenders are extending these contracts gives Dunfermline a boost ahead of their SPL match against Kilmarnock.  Despite the club's lowly league position, Greg Shields and Scott Wilson will pledge their allegiances to the East End Park.

The two defenders will have a large part to play in the games that will hopefully see the Pars retain their SPL status. With the team's Scottish Cup form maybe it was the allure of the Scottish Cup since both missed out on the 2004 Scottish Cup Final; Greg because he had been cup tied at Kilmarnock and Scott because of appendicitis - but both are firmly focussed on the job in hand, avoiding the drop.

Greg Shields (30) has been an automatic choice under all five managers that he has played under since joining Dunfermline for a second term in January 2004 from Kilmarnock.  Although ruled out of action at the moment because of a hamstring injury collected at Tannadice on the last Saturday in January, Greg has made 179 appearances for Dunfermline.

Like Greg, Scott Wilson came through the Rangers youth system is just 12 behind his team mate in appearances since joining the Pars in August 2002 from the Ibrox side. Scott who will be 30 next month has taken over the team captaincy from Greg since he was sidelined.

Hamilton Academical have signed Pars keeper Sean Murdoch on loan to solve their goalkeeping problems after David McEwan broke a wrist in an accident on the training ground.

The 20 year old had spent the first part of the season on loan with Forfar Athletic for whom he made 20 first team appearances in Division Two.