Athletic would equalise through a goal by Quinn Mailman, who had a memorable day by also getting a yellow caution, and after a stern discussion at halftime, the visitors came a lot harder in the second half.
Ryan Holden scored two goals to take his season tally to nine, third on the League's list behind New Plymouth Rangers' Sam De St Croix (11) and Havelock North's Jared Bloor (10).
King said Massey were unlucky not to convert a couple of chances themselves, but Athletic keeper Matthew Calvert was up to the task.
In all five of Athletic's victories and their draw this season, they have had to come from behind on the scoreboard.
"It's not the record that you want, but it's good to know you came do it," said King.
The three valuable competition points moved Athletic up to a share of second place with Rangers, who were on their bye week, while they still have a game in hand over Athletic.
"We're keeping a good pace at the moment," said King.
Meanwhile, Big Orange Wanganui City 1sts rebounded from their home Horizons Premiership loss to Breakers RSM Rovers with a relatively comfortable 2-0 win over North End on a bumpy Skoglund Park pitch.
Coach Kelvin Francis said there were a couple of opportunities to add to the scoreline, but in setting up the shots the ball would often take a difficult bounce or angle at the last moment.
"There was a lot of ball that bobbled around, but it was the same for both teams.
"Probably could have had a couple more late in the game - last ditch defending was pretty good."
The side still played with more positivity than their recent efforts, although both teams had to sweat on a couple of strange refereeing calls.
"We got a penalty which probably shouldn't have been, but then we weren't given one five minutes later we should have been," said Francis
"It balances itself out, I suppose."
The team had lost new arrival Zane Robinson, who pulled out on Friday night, so Francis moved Kyle Graham-Luke up front to holding striker, where he turned in an MVP performance with both goals, taking the second off a penalty.
The reshuffle saw Simon Petersen and Josh Jonas come together in the middle of the park and the combination worked well.
North End had few chances on goal, the best coming in the second half when they got a couple of free kicks, but they could not convert that pressure.
The victory keeps City's three point buffer on Hokowhitu FC at the top of the table, as the second placed side took their frustration of the upset loss to GVCA Wanganui Athletic Reserves out on Marist Development with an 11-0 hammering.
Showing what a topsy-turvey competition the Premiership can be, Rovers went from their triumph over City to being upended by Palmerston North Boys High 1st XI 3-2 at Skoglund Park.
City have the bye this weekend and although some players could go back to play local league matches, Francis said he would prefer everyone had a rest, while his injured players have another week to heal up.
