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A second carrier off right path (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astray

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'right path' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adverbs. Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'a second carrier' is the wordplay.
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'carrier' becomes 'tray' (I've seen this before).
'a'+'s'+'tray'='ASTRAY'

'off' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astray that I've seen before include "Off the right track" , "Missing, lost" , "Off the track - in error" , "Off-course" , "Off course - wrong - misled" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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