Plays for time (6)
I believe the answer is:
stalls
'plays for time' is the definition.
(to play for time is to stall or delay)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for stalls that I've seen before include "Theatre seats nearest the stage" , "Part of theatre" , "Compartments in stables or theatres" , "Uses delaying tactics to gain time" , "Compartments for horses" .)