Shrimpers' winding-up adjourned

HMRC issued a winding-up petition against the League One outfit over an unpaid debt of £200,000. Southend chairman Ron Martin claimed last month the club did not owe the money because they over-paid when they settled an outstanding £2.15million debt in November. The club's lawyers wrote to HMRC last month to say they were "astounded" it had decided to proceed with a winding-up petition over a disputed debt. But the case has now been adjourned by four weeks and a statement from Southend said: "Following today's (Wednesday) High Court hearing, Southend United can confirm that HM Revenue and Customs winding up petition has been adjourned for a further 28 days."