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Chorley boss Andy Preece, left, with Paul Caddis
Chorley boss Andy Preece felt Hereford were going in the right direction, with Paul Caddis's side unbeaten in four before the trip to Lancashire.
But hope of a corner being turned was undone with the Bulls dealt a bruising blow in the 4-2 defeat.
While Evesham-born Preece felt it was a much-needed and well-deserved win in the end, he said it was always going to be a difficult game as Hereford have "been in good form".
"I've watched the last five or six games that they played and they've started to look like they're going the right way," the experienced gaffer told Chorley's YouTube channel after the game.
"Probably just the fact that they've got so many games in hand because of the pitches not being playable puts them in a false position, so we knew it'd be a difficult game.
"I thought we started very, very well, got the goal - really well worked goal - nice to see Anj [Anjola Popoola] get on the score sheet.
"Good movement, great ball by Milan [Lalkovič], missed the front man and Anj's got across his man to score. And then we had a fair few opportunities then to increase that lead and it was a really good 25 minutes by us."
While Hereford then came back into the game a little, with Andy Williams looping the ball over the keeper, Preece felt there could have been a foul in the build-up which made the side feel "aggrieved".
But he admitted his side should have defended better and should have been in front at the break.
Preece then went on to say how his side were "really good, really, really good" in the second half and got on the front foot, tested the keeper, put balls in the box, kept the pressure up, took good set pieces, held the ball up well, threatening with wide players, strong midfielders winning second balls and centre-halves were strong and dominant centre-halves - not to mention "very good" kicks and clearances from the keeper.
Praising the team effort, he said Hereford were struggling to keep Chorley at bay and the second goal - quickly followed by the third and fourth - really boosted confidence.
The result was important for Chorley after a poor run, having won only won of their last five National League North matches.
They now lie 11th with 30 points from 22 games, ahead of second-placed AFC Fylde away on Boxing Day and mid-table Marine at home at Victory Park four days later.