Crosses to get small pots (5)

I believe the answer is:

spans

'crosses' is the definition.
('span' can be a synonym of 'cross')

'get small pots' is the wordplay.
'get' says to put letters next to each other.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'pots' becomes 'pans'.
's'+'pans' is 'SPANS'.

'to' is the link.

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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