Crossword Genius

Fox needing a bit of luck during a sportive deed (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

delude

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

'luck during a sportive deed' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'fox needing a bit' is the wordplay.
'fox' becomes 'elude' (eluding is a kind of foxing).
'needing' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a bit' becomes 'd' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'elude' put after 'd' is 'DELUDE'.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for delude that I've seen before include "Mislead in belief" , "Mislead or fool" , "swindle" , "Mislead, beguile" , "Lead into false belief" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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