Beleaguered Portsmouth Football Club (PFC) has failed in its attempts to get the High Court to dismiss a winding up petition brought against the club by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Despite rejecting the Premier League club's application to 'strike out' the petition, Mr Justice Newey has granted PFC permission to lodge an appeal against the decision. PFC is hoping to avoid a final hearing of the winding up order on 10 February. A spokesperson for Neumans LLP, the solicitors acting on behalf of PFC, said: "Having been given permission to appeal, the club now has seven days to lodge an appeal. At present, the club is not able to estimate when any appeal as may be made will be heard by the Court of Appeal."

A PFC spokesperson added: "The owner, the board and associates would like to assure fans that they are working hard towards a positive solution and are confident that this matter will be resolved in our favour." The court ruling comes a week after the club was informed by the Premier League that its £7m share of television revenue would be diverted to football creditors, which include both domestic and overseas football clubs owed transfer fees.

Meanwhile, Chester City Football Club (CCFC) of the Blue Square Premier has also been issued with a winding up order by HMRC, which is due to be heard at the High Court on 27 January.