AN investigation sparked after a Warrington Wolves player failed a drugs test has led to a top rugby league player's father admitting to selling banned supplements.

Bernard Long, whose son Sean stars for St Helens and Great Britain, admitted at a hearing at Wigan Magistrates' Court last week to selling health supplements on his Wigan market stall, including the banned steroid nandrolone.

And Long, of Water Drive, Standish, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2,600 after admitting four charges. Kevin Slack, prosecuting, told magistrates on Thursday that the offence came to light following an investigation into the unlawful supply of prescription-only drugs.

He said: "A prominent rugby league player for Warrington Wolves tested positive in September 2002. The player had unwittingly taken the drug in a drink Heat Seeker supplied by his coach.

"An investigation began by trading standards to find the source of the Heat Seeker and they identified a product believed to be offered for sale at a market stall - Longy's."

Graham Simpson, defending Long, told the court that his client was astonished to find that the substance contained illegal drugs and was appalled by the situation. He said Long had committed the offence through no fault of his own and had sold the drugs innocently.