"It certainly hasn't been easy," says Paston. "Every player wants to be in a starting spot. It's a challenge - especially for goalkeepers - and all part of the waiting game."
The pattern began in season one. Paston was set to start the campaign between the posts but was accidentally kicked in the head by Greg Draper as he dived on a ball during the final training session before their inaugural match against Melbourne Victory. Understudy Glen Moss took over and Paston was barely sighted again that season.
In more recent times, Liam Reddy and Danny Vukovic have starred after getting their chance when Paston was unavailable.
This season, Paston starred in the first match against Gold Coast, coming up with a man-of-the-match performance, but a minor rib injury ruled him out for the next two games.
He has been fit and firing since then but Ricki Herbert has preferred to stick with Tony Warner.
It reflects Herbert's modus operandi over the years; he is loyal to keepers and doesn't tend to drop them unless they make a major blunder.
Warner made a couple of outstanding saves during the immense rearguard action in the unlikely draw against unbeaten champions Brisbane Roar but has been less prominent in recent weeks.
He was at fault for the Adelaide goal at Eden Park, which was a body blow right on halftime after concerted Phoenix pressure.
Last week against Sydney, he seemed to dive after the ball had already rolled past him and later in that game he looked leaden-footed as he failed to stop a potentially crucial late corner.
Warner is a good shot stopper but not as agile as Paston, nor as competent on crosses, which are a key strength of the New Zealander.
It has yet to cost the Phoenix a match but, more than anywhere on the park, goalkeeping is a matter of small margins; half a step out of position can lead to a match-turning goal.
Though he would never speak out, it must also hurt the modest Paston.
Less than 18 months ago, he was the key figure in the All Whites' remarkable 1-1 draw with world champions Italy and his flying one-handed save at full stretch from a Ricardo Montolivo 30m piledriver will live long in the memory. Days later, he defied Paraquay with three world class saves.
He was named World Cup player of the day by influential website Goal.com, while other sites urged Premier League clubs such as Arsenal to look at the Kiwi.
So when will Paston get his opportunity? He remains the No1 keeper at the club but says discussions with Herbert have been limited.
"We haven't spoken a lot and I'm not one to go knocking on his door," says Paston. "I'm not that precious; it's football and I understand the script. By Thursday or Friday, you tend to know if you are in or out and if not, then it is a matter of looking ahead."
Complicating the situation is that Paston and Warner remain without a goalkeeping coach, a situation unique in the A-League.
Indeed, even most clubs in the ASB Premiership tend to employ (part-time) specialist goalkeeping coaches.
The duo get some outside help from Team Wellington but are otherwise training themselves.
"It's a big challenge," concedes Paston. "Goalkeeping is almost like a different sport and it is about taking care of the technical aspects. Otherwise the small things can get neglected. Tony and I are both very experienced but it can be hard to do quality control on yourself."
Paston would be forgiven for looking for greener pastures overseas when his contract expires at the end of this season. He says he has a "few options on the table" but declined to elaborate on whether they are around the A-League or in Asia.
He may also look at non-football options. Paston, who didn't turn professional until he was 26 and took a year out in London to work for a recruitment firm, has a degree in computer science and is already doing occasional work for a Wellington firm.
