It may help a team to win by a point (3)

I believe the answer is:

bye

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'it may help a team to win' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'by a point' is the wordplay.
'a point' becomes 'e' (compass point).
'by'+'e'='BYE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bye that I've seen before include "Extra run in cricket" , "Reason not to play" , "Cheerio" , "(Informal) valediction" , "Law of the local authority" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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