St Bernards was disqualified for professionalism and the Adventurers re-instated; St Bernards was further suspended from all football for a month,[9] during which period the club played a friendly against Renton, which saw Renton expelled from the newly instituted Scottish League and ultimately both clubs expelled from the Association.

[12] The replay was again held on Albion Park, with many of the locals preferring to support the Adventurers, but this time the Rovers - augmented by adding "China" Fleming to the starting XI - won 2–0; the Advents handicapped by losing Hastie to a family bereavement and relying on the less effective Nicol.

To start with, it was generally knocked out in the early rounds, but had some good runs in the Consolation Cup for eliminated clubs.

The Advents were fancied to beat Leith Harp in the Consolation's 1887–88 semi-final at Tynecastle Park, but their play was "devoid of almost anything like enthusiasm", and they were beaten 2–0.

[18] The club had an unexpected improvement of its chances in the main competition in 1894–95, as the League teams in Edinburgh disdained to enter.

However, after several years without winning a tie, in 1902–03, the club had a fortunate series of draws in the Consolation Cup, including a bye and a scratching, to reach the final.

In the east of Scotland, in 1891–92, a number of clubs formed the Eastern Alliance, and the Adventurers were invited to join after Leith Hibernian withdrew before the season's start.

[32] The Vale of Leven Wanderers refused to play a Scottish Cup tie there because it claimed the ground was part of a public park,[33] which meant no gate money.