The self-belief of the Reds built as they reached halftime and realised Marist had nothing new to offer, and they themselves were in with a good chance of claiming the full match points if they could find a way to the back of the net.
But while the Marist team were frustrated not being able to control the match in their favour, they were not willing to sit back and become the next victims of the red tide.
Yet the ensuing 45 minutes were not favourable to either side, with plenty of chances, but no reward for either team's attacking forays.
With the final whistle sounding, both teams were left exhausted by the battle, but none more so than Athletic goalkeeper Matt Calvert, who left it all on the pitch as he commanded the troops in front of him, determined not to have his goal-line breached by a mistake in front of him.
Of the two sides, Athletic celebrated the draw the most, giving them just their fifth competitions point in a season which is seeing them finally start to get reward for their persistent effort.
The Athletic Reserves were left wondering what they're doing wrong as the visiting Feilding United put four goals onto the scorecard, while the home side were only able to register one of their own.
Feilding, who currently sit third on the Western Premiership table, arrived at Wembley Park looking to keep their season on the upward trajectory, while the frustrated Reserves were hoping to get the squad together and build upon their recent improvement in on-field efforts, thereby earning themselves a win to bring an end to the drought that has struck them.
As the first half started, both sides set at each other with vigour, looking to stamp their mark on the match early, but it was Feilding who struck first and got the scoring underway.
A Sam Conley free kick brought the scoreline back level and applied pressure onto the visitors, as he deftly placed the ball over top of the Feilding keeper from a spot just outside the goal box.
The reply from the home side spurred the visitors into action, as they answered with a second goal just before halftime.
The Reserves would have felt confident at the break, but Feilding's team talk seemed to lift them to a different level in the second half as they came out and took the game by the horns and found their way beyond Athletic's defences to put another two goals onto the score sheet, and give themselves a decisive 4-1 victory at the final whistle.
The Reserves now have a week to look at the result and decide what needs to be changed fro their trip to Palmerston North this weekend.
