Crossword Genius

If hyphenated, a close result? (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

one nil

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

'if hyphenated' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'a close result?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' could be 'one' and 'one' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'nil' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for one nil that I've seen is " Narrow victory".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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