SOUTHEND United has won a temporary reprieve against going into administration over a £238,000 tax debt.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs today applied for an order at the High Court to send administrators in to run the company, branding it “demonstrably insolvent”.

The court heard the club had not filed any evidence to defend the application since it was served on June 28.

It also heard it faces a winding up petition at the court next week, from Charterhouse Commercial Finance over a £140,000 debt.

However Judge Mr Justice Newey gave the club 14 days to prepare its evidence and the case was adjourned until August 2.

FULL REPORT IN FRIDAY'S ECHO