26ac: "Matador allowed shields on the side of the mouth." (6). I have - D-R-L.
5dn: "Replace police officer - and auditor's to give up. (9). I have S-P-R-E-E.
38dn: "Given defective plug, one leaves earth below, then departs." (9). I have U-D-R-O-D.
Many thanks. I'm inclined to think that the answer to 5 dn is SUPERSEDE, rather than the more common spelling- because of the reference to 'auditor' and 'give up' in the clue.