Dunfermline Athletic is hoping it has done enough to appease HMRC and avoid the plunge into administration.

The Scottish First Division club was due to pay the taxman £81,000 by tomorrow, but has pleaded with the taxman for more time to cover its debts - in a similar fashion to Hearts who were given an extension to their deadline for paying outstanding taxes.

In a statement issued by Dunfermline, a spokesperson said: A spokesperson for DAFC said: 'DAFC (Dunfermline Athletic Football Club) has made significant contributions to arrears over the past few months. This is despite having had only five of our eighteen home league games so far this season in which to generate income. The Club's cash flow situation recovers at the end of the year as a result of two festive derbies on 26 December and 2 January 2013. We are therefore wholly confident that all HMRC arrears will be up to date by the end of December as was the original plan.

'We would like to thank DAFC players, staff and Supporters Groups who continue to back the Club. The Supporters Clubs are pulling together to generate, quick, fundraising activities to support us through this short period.'

The East End Park club has refused to divulge information as to whether an agreement had been arranged with HMRC but its chairman John Yorkston said: 'I don't want to add anything to the club's statement but we have spoken to HMRC and told them what we can do. It's up to them to consider, but we've got a plan that will clear our arrears by the end of December.'