Row about appeal being set up (4)
I believe the answer is:
tier
'row' is the definition.
(a tier is a row of things)
'about appeal being set up' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' ('re' means regarding or about).
'appeal' becomes 'it' ('it' can mean something attractive or appealing).
'being set up' is a reversal indicator (in a down clue, letters go up).
're'+'it'='reit'
'reit' written backwards gives 'TIER'.
(Other definitions for tier that I've seen before include "this person secures" , "Echelon" , "Row in theatre" , "Person joining" , "Rite (anag.)" .)