CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

7 So long to old stagers, at first, with pieces for one (5)

8 To start second story with a friend could end up in deadlock (9)

10 Some survivors had little time left for antiquities (6)

11 At the counter, gets some profits from good buys (8)

12 Who rears up in conflict? One with a lot of experience (3-5)

13 To knock one out on the way back is crazy (4)

15 A small firm got a leading man to make cuts needed to match up (7)

17 Posted first parcel off, but then had to bow out (7)

20 Did famous jewellers lose any in a petty quarrel? (4)

22 Signed on the dotted line, having had to give one's approval (8)

25 Was a down-and-out late to attend? (4-4)

26 Knocks one down several storeys (6)

27 Used an even tread when one looked up to another (9)

28 Act with full force to kill a small arachnid (5)

Down

1 Was a reasonable character cut short, or end up as a peacemaker (9)

2 Work to improve a European at college (6,2)

3 Is standing firm with top sailors in horseboxes (7)

4 New recital composed for a wind instrument (8)

5 A little rascal had to perform to make an impression (6)

6 Get to one's feet, to urge people to give one aseat(5)

9 An employer had to take on some skilled in house renovations (4)

14 Designed a bracelet, at the end, to mark the occasion (9)

16 Did an armed soldier ransack an island? (8)

18 Acts with small theatre company back at some classes (8)

19 Paid up, so was allowed to get established (7)

21 It's a new day for a north-east runner to return, in fact (6)

23 Clever newspaper boss went over to another paper, in short ... (4)

24 ... while clever types, topped and tailed, got left behind even (5)