dt toughie 79

[BigBoab]

Really struggling tonight
3d. Old Greek jars put on mats after I got back. (7) I have
s?a?n?i
9a. Old tart's long playing record. (6) p?o??r
18d. Initially soldier taking step grabs vehicle and goes AWOL. (7) s?a?p?s

[DocHH]

Hello BigBoab
3d) STAMNOI, mats on then I reversing the first two words
9a) PLOVER not a good clue but a reversal of LP ie Long Player. apart from being a bird it is also a word for a prostitute
18d SCARPAS S-soldier initially, CAR then PAS=step. I have to admit I'd thought scarapers was appropriate, but Chambers admits the actual answer.

[BigBoab]

Many thanks DocHH I don't think I would have got them in a month of Sundays!

[DocHH]

No problem, I wasn't best impressed with 9a or 18d clues. Just waiting for tomorrows challenge!?!?

[cashier]

Thanks from me as well, they were the three answers I was looking for and was running out of ideas where to find them.