Portsmouth have fallen into administration for the second time in two years.

The struggling Championship side have avoided a winding-up order from the HM Revenue and Customs over a tax bill of £1.6m which has yet to be paid.

Pompey face an automatic ten-point penalty deduction, which will drop them into the relegation zone from 18th place in the league table.

Despite already losing substantial points, it has emerged that the former Premier League club could face another penalty deduction due to the fact that they have dropped into administration for the second time in 24 months.

A court heard today that the club are struggling to keep up with gas and electricity payments as well as wages for the majority of the Portsmouth staff.

The South Coast club's second fall into trouble started when parent company Convers Sports Initiatives went into administration, followed by failed tax payments of up to £800,000 in December and January.