In the following year, Oxford University again entered the tournament at the First Round stage where they defeated Upton Park 4–0, going on to defeat Barnes, Wanderers and Clapham Rovers to reach the final, where they met the Royal Engineers. The final was played at Kennington Oval on 10 March 1874, in front of a crowd of 2,000. Mackarness again played as the university's sole full-back. Ten minutes into the match, Oxford gained a corner; as the corner was taken, a melee developed in front of the Engineers' goal, and the ball fell to Mackarness, who shot it over the crowd of players and past goalkeeper William Merriman. Ten minutes later, the university doubled their lead with a goal from Frederick Patton, after some skilful dribbling by captain Cuthbert Ottaway and Robert Vidal. Despite some late attacks on goal from the Sappers, Oxford hung on to win 2–0 and thus secured the cup for the first and only time.