How to resist a tallyman? (7)

I believe the answer is:

counter

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'resist a tallyman?' is the definition.
'counter' can be an answer for 'resist' (thesaurus). I'm not certain of the 'a tallyman?' bit.

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for counter that I've seen before include "return attack" , "Conversely" , "Pawn" , "Obverse" , "Small game disc; oppose" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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