Vale only really started to perform to its capabilities in the last 20 minutes, also having a "goal" disallowed as a McIntyre free-kick from 20 yards out was sent between the posts without anyone touching the ball (as required under the laws then), and J. C. Baird struck the Light Blues' bar soon afterwards, but Rangers tended to have most of the possession - albeit ruining chances to score by relying on long shots rather than working the ball closer.
Rangers paid the penalty with three minutes remaining as Vale, playing "with something akin to desperation", equalized; McDougall extricated the ball from a scrimmage a few yards from goal, passed to Ferguson, who dribbled past Drinnan, and sent a low shot just inside the left-hand post.
[7] The Scottish FA Committee considered the protest on 21 April, and ruled that, "as the point was one connected with the play", it was a matter for the officials, and it could not therefore interfere.
[8] The Vale duly turned up at Hampden, but found no opponent present,[9] as Rangers had asked - unsuccessfully - to have the appeal heard by the full association, rather than simply the committee.
Thoams Vallance, representing Rangers as club captain, claimed that the umpires had misidentified Struthers for another player who had not played the ball, and James Watt of Rangers questioned apparent bias from the officials, who had warned the Vale when time was approaching, as well as an assumption that the replay would not take place as Queen's Park had arranged a match with Glasgow University at the same time.
[13] The repercussions rumbled on, with a call for a public subscription to give Rangers a trophy,[14] or for the Vale to relinquish its title voluntarily and play afresh.