It was a case of "second time lucky" for the Heathens, as they went one better in the 1886 competition, beating Manchester 2–1 in the final to claim the first trophy in the club's history.

[1] The Lancashire Cup, which the club had entered and been soundly beaten in both of the two previous seasons, split into "Senior" and "Junior" competitions in 1885.

Believing that the club's status was better suited to the Junior competition, the Heathens entered their reserve team for the 1885–86 season.

A strong wind and the incline of the pitch aided Newton Heath in the first half, and they went into half-time 2–0 up, goals coming from Watkins and Sam Black.

Farrington scored a consolation goal for Manchester in the second half, but Newton Heath managed to hang on for the win,[1] the first trophy in their history.