[5] A replay was ordered (presumably because of this extra-time period) at Pendleton Olympic[6] and this time West won 3–0.

5–2, [8] but was disqualified because some of its players did not meet residency requirements;[9] on appeal, the Manchester FA ordered a replay.

[11] West Manchester then beat Hurst 2–0 in the semi,[12] the result considered "a bit of a fluke",[13] before coming from behind to beat Newton Heath 2–1 in the final with goals from Tomlinson and Bolton, in what was both considered a surprise and against the run of play.

[15] West Manchester arrived at 4pm and the Rangers agreed to play, but only under protest as they had already claimed the tie.

In the 1888–89 FA Cup qualifying rounds, the club appeared to have caused a major shock, by beating Bolton Wanderers (albeit a reserve side)[17] in the second round; the match had ended 0–0, but the referee ordered the clubs to play 30 minutes' extra-time, and called it off because of darkness after 24, with West Manchester 1–0 up.

As both clubs were accepted into national competitions, West Manchester focussed on the regional game, and joined the Lancashire League.