Decent play lost nothing in quality (8)

I believe the answer is:

property

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'quality' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'decent play lost nothing' is the wordplay.
'decent' becomes 'proper' (associated in meaning).
'play lost nothing' becomes 'ty' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'proper'+'ty'='PROPERTY'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for property that I've seen before include "Buildings" , "Attribute; chattel" , "Possessions; characteristic" , "Possessions, collectively" , "Asset" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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