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| Aaron Skinner with the assist for Phillips' goal |
Hereford extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a hard‑earned point against early league leaders Chester, drawing 1–1 in front of a bumper Edgar Street crowd.
The Bulls went into the game on the back of three straight wins and clean sheets and became the first side to take points from the Seals this season.
While Hereford took the lead thanks to Billy Phillips, turning home a ball from Aaron Skinner, it was cancelled out before the break by Billy Waters in controversial circumstances.
With the Bulls attacking down the slope towards the Meadow End in the first half, their current favourite, Keziah Martin's cross was deflected behind for an early corner which disappointingly ended with visiting keeper Luke Hewitson on the floor, which the referee deemed a foul.
But Chester also went close when Billy Waters fired wide after Sam Reed forced a corner, before the high-tempo game saw the hard-working Cawley Cox go close, but his right-footed effort was deflected behind.
With the game being played at high intensity, the Bulls were pinning Chester back in their own half and got their rewards in the 23rd minute. Some great work from Keziah Martin on a surging run towards the box saw him opt to play the ball out to Aaron Skinner on the right. The fans' favourite, and Saturday's captain, took on his man and played a low ball towards Phillips to slot home.
But Chester, eager not to drop their first points of the season, look to hit back as Connor Woods floated a dangerous cross that drifted just wide of Theo Richardson’s far post, and their pressure told five minutes before the break. A moment of hesitation at the back for a suspected offside allowed Waters to pounce and level the match.
Richardson was called into action again shortly before half‑time, holding a strike from Sam Reed to ensure the sides went in level.
Half time: Hereford 1 - Chester 1
Chester started the second half brightly, forcing Richardson into two saves in quick succession — first from Jake Griffin, then from Tom Peers. Peers later shot well over after claiming to be caught as he struck the ball, with Sam Reed causing problems down the right.
A floated free‑kick caused problems for Hereford on 58 minutes, leading to a goalmouth scramble and a finish from Chester, but the effort was ruled out for a foul in the build‑up. Luke Spokes was booked for the challenge that led to the set piece, as the referee seemed intent to halt play for questionable fouls and, on at least two occasions, blew for fouls from Chester when playing on would have been the more sensible option.
Hereford’s best chance of the half came when Harrison Iwunze, who has been on fire in recent matches, met a cross with a header, but he couldn’t generate enough power and the effort drifted wide.
As both sides rang the changes, the game looked certain to be heading for a draw. In the final stages, Kyle Howkins produced an important block to deny Chester, while Jacob Hazel fired over moments later.
Full time: Hereford 1 - Chester 1
Attendance: 4,307 (574 away)
Sponsors' man of the match: Will Merrett
A draw felt about right. Hereford showed good organisation and resilience against a strong Chester side who arrived in excellent form. The Bulls move up to fourth in the table with 10 points from a possible 15 and now turn their attention to Monday’s trip to Southport - who were hammered 5-1 by Spennymoor today.
Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Merrett, Martin (Roberts 56'), Tustin (Bitemo 65'), Cox (Waldron 73'), Spokes (Williamson 90+1'), James, Iwunze, Phillips, Howkins
Subs not used: Lewis, Tolley, Jones
Chester: Hewitson, Burroughs, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Griffin, Peers (Hazel 69'), Waters (Abreu 79') Ward (Foley 84'), Murphy (Campbell 79'), Woods (Moore 80'), Reed
Subs not used: Mackin, Kenny