VAUXHALL Motors have won the first round of their battle with Chester City over troubled striker Paul Taylor.

The FA has ordered Chester City to continue making the monthly loan payments for the 21-year-old, despite the fact he failed a drugs test.

They have ruled that Taylor, found with traces of cocaine in his urine sample last month, is still on loan at Chester under the terms of the agreement between the clubs and the Blues must pay Motors their fee, believed to be around £2,500 a month, until the loan expires on January 1 2009.

The ruling was due to be be sent out in writing this week to the clubs and Taylor, while the FA continues to deliberate on whether the £30,000 transfer agreement scheduled for January must also be honoured by the Blues.

Vauxhall Motors chairman Alan Bartlam said: “I am pleased with the FA’s initial decision on this matter and await their verdict on the transfer.

“It has not been easy to sort this out but we were confident in our argument and so far the FA has agreed with us.”

Taylor has been keeping a low profile since the test, conducted by the FA and UK Sport at Chester’s Bank Farm training ground, but has been in touch with Motors a number of times.

“I have not spoken to him directly,” said Bartlam. “But he is remorseful.

“He understands the magnitude of the situation and that he has made a mistake.

“All he wants to do is play football as soon as possible.

“He is aware he may have to serve a ban but he still wants to try to make a career in the game and put this mistake behind him.”

No-one from Chester City was available for comment as the Chronicle went to press.