Across
Two pieces performed by minor player (3,4)
Shot into the air when excited (5,2)
Fine detective captures a forest creature (5)
Drawing a description of chessboard (3,6)
Old magazine spreading sick abuse (4,5)
Part of mainframe needs backing up – it will remove waste (5)
Doctor I have contracted to provide spin (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
DR (doctor) + I’VE (I have, contracted) – definition as in going for a spin in the car
Cooking native oil is perfectly safe (9)
They may have boxers leave when getting into drugs? (3,6)
Bags, totally shorter for the younger generation (5)
Losing against opposition that’s game? (2,3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
I can’t make sense of the first part of the clue Please see Alex in SG @8
Fire idiot with heroin – it’s rough stuff (9)
At home, kid gets prepared for light work (3,6)
Twist what he is really like at first (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Initial letters (at first) of What He Is Really Like – is there any significance in the surface reading?
Recognised expert ready to acquire some currency (7)
Phrase regularly re-used in time when spouse requires affirmation? (3,4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Alternate letters of r E u S e D in YEAR (time) – I wasn’t sure what to underline as the definition (not quite &lit but an amusing allusive surface)
Down
Boy threw up having applied small drop (7)
Rush job on cottage? (9)
Pal’s fibs built central part of criminal defence (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
Central letters of p AL ‘s f IB s bu I lt
Stoical view when the flat is turned over (5,4)
Nothing capital university put together is wrong (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
FA ( Fanny Adams – nothing) + London School of Economics (capital university)
Surprise stronghold, reportedly something crumbly? (9)
Fourth rate swinger perhaps out for a duck (5)
Hunt for food before meeting with romantic partner (7)
Old style master abandons median location for medical facility (9)
Doctor may covet adopting son; it avoids having another? (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
An anagram (doctor) of MAY COVET round S (son)
Writer checks out reports of sanction (9)
Came together when I left after father gets intimidated (7)
Academic check into potentially free form of energy (7)
Spicy and extremely intense ingredient of greasy food (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:
I[ntens]E in FRY (greasy food)
Attack credit record (5)
Conservative members of parliament are hoods (5)
Type letters or click words in the clue