A Scottish football club which was facing a possible final match this Saturday has been given another two weeks to resolve its tax bill after a number of players agree to delay their receiving of wages.

Hearts of Midlothian FC owes HMRC £449,692.04 in unpaid taxes, but has been granted a stay of execution until 3 December, meaning the 17 November game against St Mirren will now definitely not be the last the Edinburgh-based club will play.

A number of the club's highest paid first team players agreed to defer their November pay packet in an effort to help out and assurances made to the taxman that the outstanding bill and all future tax payments would be made in a 'timeous manner'; Hearts has subsequently been given a couple more weeks of breathing space.

Hearts director Sergejus Fedotovas said: 'We are pleased that we have been granted this extension as it acknowledges the strenuous efforts that are going on to ensure this club continues to contribute to employment, society, community and football in Scotland.'

He added: 'We have a lot of hard work ahead of us in order to fully rectify our financial position but with further backing and ongoing fundraising by supporters we know that we have a very positive opportunity to create a strong club for the future.'