The Roadsters walked off the field with five minutes to go in protest at the refereeing, and put in an unsuccessful protest, one reporter stating that the second Accrington goal was seen as handball "by every reporter present" and the sixth Accrington goal was so far offside that "the referee (William Peirce-Dix of Sheffield) was obviously bribed or neglecting his duty as a final judge",[2] another stating that "the greatest wrongdoer in this last piece of business connected with the already ugly career of the Lancashire Association Challenge Cup is the referee of Saturday last".

[4] It won the Lancashire Senior Cup twice more; in 1887–88 by forfeit, after Preston North End refused to play the final in Blackburn,[5] and in 1888–89.

[6] The final, against underdogs Higher Walton, ended 1-1[7] and around 6,000 turned up to Deepdale for the replay, in which the Owd Reds scored the only goal.

[8] The club had less fortune in the FA Cup, as the regionalization of the early rounds in the 1880s meant it was drawn against strong Lancastrian sides.

[14] The Owd Reds played at Accrington Cricket Club's ground in Thorneyholme Road, which is still in use for that sport today.