Slope went awry in part of stairs (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
newel post
'part of stairs' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'slope went awry' is the wordplay.
'awry' indicates anagramming the letters.
'slope'+'went'='slopewent'
'slopewent' anagrammed gives 'NEWEL POST'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for newel post that I've seen before include "Stair rail support" , "Handrail support column for stairs" .)