Crossword Genius

Invaders ignoring rule left with ground unclaimed (2-4-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

no-mans-land

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

'ground unclaimed' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'invaders ignoring rule left with' is the wordplay.
'invaders' becomes 'normans' (Norman Conquest).
'ignoring' suggests deleting specific letters.
'rule' becomes 'r' (legal abbreviation).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'with' becomes 'and'.
'normans' with 'r' removed is 'nomans'.
'nomans'+'l'+'and'='NO-MANS-LAND'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for no-mans-land that I've seen before include "disputed territory" , "Unoccupied zone" , "Ambiguous region" , "Area between two opposing armies" , "Neutral area" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app