SOUTHEND United’s winding up petition from HMRC has been dismissed with costs.

The Shrimpers were back in the High Court this morning but the hearing lasted less than a minute after it was confirmed payment had been received in full.

Chairman Ron Martin and Tom Lawrence were both in court less than 24 hours after it was announced Justin Rees and his consortium had reached an agreement to buy the club.

Blues fan Darren Bailey, who has been watching the side since 1974, was among those in court.

And he spoke with Ron Martin before the hearing got underway.

"Credit to Ron, he came up to me before hand and said I hear you’re a supporter," said Bailey.

" He said he was expecting it to be dismissed but intimated it was just down to there being any creditors at the last minute but as you saw there were none.

"He said they’ve brought some really good investors into the club for Justin.

"I asked when we would know who they were and he said the end of the month.

"But he was very complimentray about Justin and it's positive."

However, Bailey knows there is still work to be done.

"I don’t think we’re quite over the line," said Bailey.

"We’ve got to get the embargo lifted, understand what Justin is bringing in and his financial imput.

"But compared to where we’ve been these last couple of years I think we’re in a much better place and you saw that at the game last night."

The winding up petition from HMRC was initially for £275,000 but was reduced to £170,000 at Blues' previous appearance at the High Court back in August.

Half of the outstanding sum was paid by Ron Martin while the other half was paid by the consortium.