TOWN defenders David Mirfin, Andy Holdsworth and John McCombe have today agreed contract extensions.

First-team regulars Mirfin and Holdsworth are now tied to the Galpharm squad until 2007 while McCombe's deal runs to the end of next season.

All three hope to help Town take another step up the promotion ladder and manager Peter Jackson is delighted more young guns have pledged to stay with his squad.

"It's excellent news because all three of them know how ambitious we are at this club and they want to be a part of our success," said Jackson, whose Reserves required a point at Scunthorpe today to clinch the Pontin's Division I East title.

"Andy and Mirf, who both had 12 months left on their contracts, have done extremely well in the first team and deserve improved contracts to cover this season and another two.

"They are two very sought-after players, but they are keen to stay at the club which gave them their chance and they are two more building blocks in place for what we believe will be a very bright future."

On centre-back McCombe, who celebrates his 20th birthday when Town play their final fixture of the season against Wrexham at the Racecourse on May 7, Jackson added: "Big John has had a taste of the first-team this season and this new 12-month deal gives him another chance to establish himself.

"He's another promising player, he has never let me down when he's come into the first team and, when he played at Brentford last weekend, he looked like he'd been at the centre of our defence for 50 games rather than five."

Solid centre-back Mirfin, wing-back Holdsworth and McCombe are all involved in preparations for Saturday's final home game of the season against Swindon and were not involved in today's second-string game at Glanford Park.

Instead, they were joining a party of first-teamers travelling to support John Dungworth and Martyn Booty's side in their bid for the title.

Young utility player David Walls was called into the team today to replace Joe Shaw .

Defender Tom Clarke, who has been named in the Coca-Cola League I Team of the Week, remains under treatment for the badly bruised shin he suffered at Brentford.

Meanwhile, Wrexham kept alive survival hopes with a 2-0 League I win at Port Vale.