The heads were hung in Marton's post-match huddle while a satisfied Taihape walked off the pitch having finally gained the conclusive victory their season needed on Saturday afternoon.
A rugged defensive effort by the visitors' forwards, coupled with some smart kicking nous, told the story of Taihape's 24-11 away win in their important Premier fixture scoring three tries and denying Marton their line right up until the dying seconds.
For the home side, eager to break into the top four, a lack of field position forced their backline dangermen to try to manufacture raids outside of striking distance and as their frustration mounted, so did their ill-discipline.
After repeated warnings for rough play, reserve prop Ray Uni and eventual try-scoring flanker Faamanu Manutuhiha were both binned for high shots after a series of fourth-quarter scraps, handicapping their team's chances by trying to play 14-man rugby for 20 minutes.
While not backing down, Taihape stayed their hand and used the indiscretions to keep Marton out of range of reeling them in.
Tryscoring hooker Rimu Wipaki and flanker Marcus Tottman got through a ton of work, while fullback Kerry Whale was bang-on with his sideline goal kicking, up until his last attempts.
Marton's pack was missing its worker in Chris Rayner and it fell to the midfield team of Tauriki Manawatu and Lote Tauailoto to try to spark Marton's revival, but their constant line breaks were all snuffed out.
Livewire winger Jake Karaynidis had an entertaining duel with his opposite Jaye Flaws, but the prolific Taihape tryscorer had the last laugh, and earned another dozen of his favourite refreshment, by crashing over for what proved the decisive blow 10 minutes after halftime.
Marton dropping the ball twice at the tryline really sunk their chances.
Taihape coach Kerry Whale was very proud of the pack and their defence.
"Those two areas, we were pretty good.
"It's where the game lies in the context of the season hopefully we're clear of [Marton] now."
After consecutive drawn games, the day's effort was still a little "rough", as even holding a key advantage at the break did not leave Whale feeling comfortable.
"The whole season, it's turned around at halftime, but they built on that [lead]."
Asking his guys to have a good look at themselves, disappointed Marton coach Cornel Mason said Taihape had wanted it more and worked for it, whereas his team lost composure.
"It was a bit of excitment in the boys. The top two inches needed control."
Marton will use their bye week to get their heads on straight and see what can be salvaged now for the season, he said.
"At this stage you don't want to be going back and regrouping.
"It's going to be a big ask."
Taihape had the perfect start as the pack capitalised on a Whale line break to drive Wipaki over beside the posts, which was followed up by Whale's penalty for a Marton high shot.
Taihape's pack was aggressive at the breakdown although occasionally guilty of going off their feet, as Tauailoto narrowed the gap to 10-3.
Momentum switched back and forth as the Taihape pack held sway but out wide Manawatu, Tauailoto and Karaynidis were proving a handful.
Taihape pounced on a poor Marton clearance and spread the ball wide to Tottman who grabbed a deserved five-pointer.
Tauailoto replied with a long penalty kick right on halftime.
Taihape capitalised on another spill at the back from Marton for their pack to camp on the tryline and after nine phases the ball was spread to Flaws to crash over in the corner. Marton lashing out led to a series of shoving matches as Uni then Manutuhiha were sent to cool their heels.
When finally back to full strength of the last minutes, Marton showed what might have been as they attack Taihape's line and redeemed himself Manutuhiha by cutting through to score from a quick lineout.
Taihape 24 (Rimu Wipaki, Jaye Flaws, Marcus Tottman tries, Luke Whale pen, 3 con) bt Marton 11 (Faamanu Manutuhiha try, Lote Tauailoto 2 pen). HT: 17-6.