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For the first time in 28 years, the Bulls had lost seven games on the bounce heading into the clash, but blew their rivals away with three first-half goals before seeing the job through professionally after the break.
And for Downes, it felt like a long-overdue reward.
“Delighted, absolutely,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s more important, the bragging rights or the three points. I think I’m the most relieved man at the minute.
“It’s nice for the players to get something they deserved and it's nice the supporters can go home happy.”
While the atrocious run has finally ended, Downes insisted performances had often deserved more.
“We’ve deserved more than what we’ve got in seven games,” he said.
“Some games we deserved to lose, and I’ve said that, I've come out here publicly and said that.
"But at the same time, I felt today was a lot of payback for what we've kind of deserved."
A ruthless first half put the Bulls in control thanks to Mikey Lane, Matt Preston and Lewis Hudson's goals in front of the Meadow End, but Downes reserved just as much praise for the discipline shown after the break to secure a clean sheet.
At half time, he had highlighted to the players how the first 15 minutes of the second half was going to win them the game.
He said his side managed the game well and could have scored four or five.
"It's an excellent performance, I'm ever so proud of the team but of the football club as well because our support was superb throughout."
The result gives Hereford fresh hope in their survival fight – and, perhaps just as importantly, confidence and belief.