Crossword Genius

City should net cross by forward with great ability (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

expertly

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'forward with great ability' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adverbs. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'city should net cross by' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'cross' could be 'x' and 'x' is present in the answer.
'by' could be 'per' and 'per' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for expertly that I've seen before include "Skilfully" , "Like a master" , "Like a pro" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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