Dannie Bulman and James Shea are the first names tied down to contract extensions at AFC Wimbledon that have boss Neal Ardley purring.

Midfielder Bulman has signed on until the end of next season, and it is believed that Shea has done similar.

It was a weekend of triple celebration for Bulmam who, after signing on the dotted line, starred in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley, and then, that evening, celebrated his 36th birthday with his feet up and a bottle of red wine.

And in an every changing world at the Cherry Red Records stadium, Dons fielded debutants Craig Tanner and Will Nightingale, while Bulman is getting used to a new midfield partner in Jake Reeves.

He said: “Jake is a good lad, I like him. He has good fitness levels and is decent on the ball.

“At the moment, it is all about getting that balance right – that’s what we’ve been working on in training.

“It’s about knowing when one sits, and one goes, and then making sure we have a partnership that blossoms.”

He added: “I’ve been really impressed with Will [Nightingale].

“In training he heads anything, and that’s what you need in this league. He did brilliantly [against Stanley] and did not look out of place.

“His man of the match award was completely justified. He was a bit quiet before the game, but he was focussed.

“It would have been nice to keep a clean sheet, but he’s a big part of why we won.”

While Nightingale is embarking on his professional career, Bulman has been in the game since signing for Wycombe Wanderers in 1998.

He has moved between Stevenage, Crawley and Oxford before joining Dons.

Bulman said: “I love it here, and it helps that it is 25 minutes from my house. The manager is top drawer and hopefully the fans appreciate what I am giving on the pitch.

“It was nice to be given the contract – they’ve said I have been doing well, and the legs don’t seem to be slowing down so hopefully I can crack on and keep putting in the performances.”

Ardley said: “We normally wait until the end of a season and see where we are before considering contracts.

“But there’s a good feeling and confidence about us in that we can say ‘Let’s tie him up, let’s tie him up’.

“There is no way they are not going to be good players next year as well, no matter what league you’re in.”

This weekend, Dons go to Morecambe, where three points would lift them above their hosts.

Wimbledon Times:

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