CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Accept a token in new deal (4,2) 4 Little reptile exploits flowering plants (8) 9 Make reference, as man getting audibly vulgar (6) 10 Always you must keep on — not just some of you! (8) 11 As Soviet official, I’m cross, am mad (9) 13 Excellent department led by ace (5) 14 A live gent’s let loose, a gospel preacher (13) 17 Doctor on visit — severe and a bit too touchy? (13) 21 Cardinal providing article about Religious Education (5) 23 Bitterness showing by those with aspiration heading off, quick movers (9) 24 Have a hand in genuine action to cancel debt? (8) 25 One form of music and another making comeback with time (6) 26 Rat in dry zone here shedding skin (8) 27 1 Across funny old comedian (6) DOWN 1 Time young birds may be found in straw etc (6) 2 Tricky mile trek including middle of bog? A shorter distance (9) 3 What was paid off long ago in coppers? (3,4) 5 Girl given payment in beastly home, brought up to be respectful (11) 6 Business of transporting stuff — hard to get out of old African capital (7) 7 Number in double figures to achieve success (5) 8 Attend match, say, in which muscle is evident (8) 12 Economy good with people showing a redeeming quality (6,5) 15 Alien gent, frightfully lacking in refinement (9) 16 Harry and Edward tinkered about (8) 18 The female subsequently lacking a sanctuary (7) 19 One thus tardy is to get set apart from others (7) 20 Oriental dropping off at the front gets behind (6) 22 Frolics of old politicians undermining Speaker ultimately (5)