If it shall appear, on the hearing of such motion, that the defendants have any meritorious cause of defense, which was not controverted in the action against the sheriff and which by law could not have been so controverted, the court shall enter judgment as provided in s. 898.24 and suspend proceedings thereon until a trial in such action be had; but such judgment shall remain as a security for the sheriff. If such defense be established the court shall vacate such judgment and render judgment as in other cases.