The Crossword Centre Clue-Writing Competition

CCCWC July competition voters’ comments
 
Clue no. 25: Manchester , having dropped two points, is out for someone on the market (8)

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A clue to MERCHANT.
4 comments refer to this clue (from 4 competitors, 0 others)

Here is the text

Comments on the clue
1.there's 4 points in the fodder n.e.s.e.
2.clue does not quite make sense to me
3.Lovely surface. Not sure if just ‘two points’ is specific enough?
4.What does the surface mean?