United 2 Hull XI 1

United's murky and troubled past looked to behind them once David Newton took charge of the club last summer with the road ahead paved with stability.

Despite the Chestnut Homes boss doing his best and guiding United through a CVA, the problems refused to go away during the early days of his reign.

The entry into the CVA saw them demoted into the Blue Square North has footballing creditors weren't given priority over others, that also saw the Football League hold back payments owed to the club which total around £200,000.

The Football League wish to use that money to pay off United's footballing debtors but the Inland Revenue has a strong policy of treating all creditors equally. Even though United will have little say in how the money is used, the Football League's plans could see United wound up by the taxman.

Chairman Newton admitted the situation was a worrying one with little progress made.

We don't want to be alarmist, but at the same time, it is important that people realise that everything is not straight forward" he told the Sports Echo.

"We feel like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place. We've tried everything and had countless meetings, but we don't seem to be making sufficient progress.

"The Inland Revenue insisted on a modification to the CVA at the outset, which in effect prevents payments being made to football creditors by 'a third party'. This would include payments by the Football League."

Goals from Jon Rowan and Jon Stevenson saw off the struggling Midlands based outfit but the goals were the only excitement in an awful game of football.

Rowan opened the scoring after just five minutes but it failed to spur on the Pilgrims towards taking the game to their opponents so much so that anyone at York Street could have been forgiven for falling asleep.

Taylor admitted he was desperate to see some action after half-time, regardless of what it was.

"It was a poor first half. We couldn't pass water" Taylor told the Sports Echo.

"I told the players at half-time that I was quite prepared to take any three of them off early in the second half.

"I told them I wanted a reaction, even if it meant whacking one of their own team-mates."

Grumbles aside Taylor was delighted to keep the Pilgrims faint play-off hopes alive with the points haul but refused to get carried away.

"At the end of the day, we have got three points and that is most important thing. We have just got to take one game at a time," he added.

Newton has reached a deadlock in talks with the taxman regarding United's future with no clear outcome yet forseeable.

The Inland Revenue are keen to witness the impact United has on the local community before making any final decision, therefore Newton is willing Pilgrims fans to write and point out the community benefits coming from the club.

The Centre of Excellence, Youth Development Programme, Football in the Community and Study Support Centre will all be lost should United be closed down.

This is your chance to save United and help keep a vital part of the community alive.

Write to the taxman at:

Mr Alex Boyd
HM Revenue and Customs
Durrington Bridge House
Barrington Road
Worthing
Sussex
BN12 4SE