Beleaguered Blue Square Premier side Chester City have been handed a reprieve in their fight against expulsion from the Football Conference.

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Chester were originally given until 5:30pm on Monday to meet the terms of an agreement that allowed them to compete in the top tier of non-league football following their relegation from League Two last season.

The club went into administration soon after dropping out of the Football League, but they were permitted to start the 2009-10 season with a 25-point deduction provided they settled debts owed to Wrexham FC and Vauxhall Motors.

Despite the extension of the deadline, the threat of expulsion from the Football Conference still remains if the club cannot meet the new deadline.

A Football Conference statement reads: "Discussions between the Football Conference, the Football League, the Professional Footballers Association and Chester City FC have taken place during the past seven days, and are on-going.

"In the light of the wish of all parties to seek a satisfactory resolution the Football Conference has agreed to defer any decision on the club's future membership until Monday, 16th November 2009, enabling the Football League to discuss certain issues which have been referred to its Board of Directors.

"All parties are working together in an attempt to preserve the future of Chester City FC. The club has, however, been duly informed that unless it complies in full with the conditions of membership it agreed with the Football Conference, the competition will move to consider the club's expulsion, in accordance with the said agreement with the Football Conference."