Appealing page out ahead (8)

I believe the answer is:

pleading

'appealing' is the definition.
(pleading is a kind of appealing)

'page out ahead' is the wordplay.
'page' becomes 'p'.
'out ahead' becomes 'leading'.
'p'+'leading'='PLEADING'

(Other definitions for pleading that I've seen before include "Appealing emotionally" , "Take no risks" , "Imploring" , "Begging" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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