HEREFORD boss Aaron Downes was pleased with his side’s performance as they held in-form Chester to a 1-1 draw at Edgar Street.
Billy Phillips saw his opener cancelled out by Billy Waters and the Bulls had to call on goalkeeper Theo Richardson to make several good saves to earn them a point.
Downes felt that both sides would be battling in the top half this season and was satisfied with a point.
He also praised the 4,307 fans at Edgar Street and said that he felt ‘proud’ of the club.
“It was a really good game between two good teams, in my opinion,” said Downes.
“It was a tough challenge for us today and I think we stood up to it.
“It was a very tight game with two teams, hopefully, with good ambitions this season and pushing at the right end of the season.
“They are a good side, but so are we. I was impressed with how we dealt with them but also try to impose parts of our game on them as well.
“There was patches of play, in both halves, where we moved the ball really well.
“We were aggressive out of possession, and good in possession at moments. Overall I thought it was a good game of football.”
Buoyed by a run of three consecutive wins the Bulls started on the front foot with Keziah Martin showing intent from the opening minute.
However, Chester also came into the match in good form and Billy Waters placed his effort just wide from a tight angle.
Hereford’s strikers then combined with Harrison Iwunze played through Cawley Cox, whose effort was off-target.
The Seals gained momentum midway through the first half and Daniel Ward and Connor Woods had efforts off-target.
However, it was Downes’ side who found a 26th minute opener after the returning Aaron Skinner got to the byline and found Billy Phillips to score the opener.
Connor Woods was a threat to Hereford’s defence throughout the afternoon and his floated cross crept just wide of Theo Richardson's far post.
Chester found their equaliser on the 40th minute when the Bulls failed to clear Thomas’ Peers sliced effort which fell kindly for Waters to net.
The visitors gained momentum into the half-time break and Richardson had to be alert to a well-hit Samuel Reed effort.
Richardson was forced into a double save early in the second half, firstly denying Nathan Woodthorpe’s effort with his feet and then diving down low to deny Peers.
Reed then created an opening for Peers but his effort failed to threaten the Hereford goal.
Hereford were saved by the referee on the 58th minute when the visitors forced the ball home during a goalmouth scramble, only for the goal to be disallowed and a home free-kick awarded.
Hereford were limited in second half opportunities, with their best coming from a Phillips cross for Iwunze who headed wide.
Chester finished with a flourish with substitute Kofi Moore finding space inside the box and forcing Richardson into action.
The final chance fell to Jacob Hazel three minutes from time, but his powerful effort flew over.
Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Merrett, Martin, Tustin (Bitemo 65), Cox (Waldron 73), Spokes (Williamson 90+1), James, Iwunze, Phillips, Howkins.
Unused subs: Roberts, Lewis, Tolley, Jones.
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