Giving comfort: it follows beating (8)

I believe the answer is:

solacing

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'giving comfort' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are present participle verbs, I don't see how one could define the other.

'it follows beating' is the wordplay.
'it follows' becomes 'so'.
'beating' becomes 'lacing' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'so'+'lacing'='SOLACING'

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I've seen this clue in The Times.

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