A shortage, sad to say (5)
I believe the answer is:
alack
'sad to say' is the definition.
'a shortage' is the wordplay.
'shortage' becomes 'lack' (a lack is a shortage of something).
'a'+'lack'='ALACK'
(Other definitions for alack that I've seen before include "expression of regret" , "Sadly" , "Old expression of dismay" , "Previously expressed regret" , "I mourn" .)