Crossword Genius

Key step taken by defenders (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

backspace

'key' is the definition.
(I know that backspace is a type of key)

'step taken by defenders' is the wordplay.
'step' becomes 'pace' (synonyms).
'taken by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'defenders' becomes 'backs' (I've seen this before).
'pace' put after 'backs' is 'BACKSPACE'.

(Another definition for backspace that I've seen is " key used to find character already in?".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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