ACROSS
- 1 Put off the little man till he's cleaner (9)
- 8 It isn't true! one just can't stand it! (3)
- 9 Though love means nothing here, a good match is possible! (6,5)
- 11 Bookmaker's superior clientele? (7)
- 12 Tree on road at the outset (5)
- 13 Followed with appendage (6)
- 15 Take an attitude again of sleep (6)
- 17 Corner fish (5)
- 18 Ensured mixture is lasting (7)
- 20 House may be purchased through spy from Eastern country (6,5)
- 22 Away in the south of France (3)
- 23 Plundered, fled, and was finally fired (9)
DOWN
- 2 Her time comes the night before (3)
- 3 Breed to a higher standard? (5)
- 4 Plea for sex cue (6)
- 5 Left fur round fungus (7)
- 6 The meal won't be the same if you change direction (5,6)
- 7 You think him naive? Callous! (9)
- 10 All gone all right? (7,4)
- 11 Troops have cricketer, thanks to rugby player (9)
- 14 One gets cross with his choice (7)
- 16 Defeated and feeling sore as a result, perhaps (6)
- 19 Play in which the doctor visits a mother (5)
- 21 Daphne evidently conceals her maiden name (3)