Kwame Thomas scored a first half brace inside three minutes, and then Aaron Jones scored a third to seal the Linnets three away points.

Caddis led Hereford to 10th and 11th place finishes during his first two seasons in charge of the Bulls.

However, a disastrous third season saw the Bulls drop into a relegation battle and Caddis replaced with Aaron Downes.

It was Caddis’ first return to Edgar Street and the former Bulls boss was keen to make a winning return.

Both sides came into the tie looking to avenge midweek defeats, with Hereford suffering back-to-back home loses against Telford.

It was another former Bulls player who went close inside the opening minutes as Harley Hamilton fired wide from inside the penalty area.

Herefordshire raised goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead came up against the Bulls and was forced into fifth minute action to deny a tame Harry Tustin volley.

The Bulls skipper Kam Kandola was next to test the King’s Lynn goal but from a corner, but sent his effort outside the box over.

King’s Lynn were then awarded a 13th minute penalty after Will Merrett was penalised for a four from a corner, and Thomas dispatched the spot-kick.

Just three minutes later the Linnets doubled their advantage after Thomas met a deep cross and headed home.

Notts County loanee Harrison Iwunze has been in scoring form over the last few weeks and tried to pull a goal back, but sent his curled effort narrowly wide.

Luke Spokes was next to test the Linnets goal but his 33rd minute free-kick flew straight at goalkeeper Hollingshead.

Iwunze then linked with fellow forward Danny Waldron before the experienced striker went down inside the box, but the referee waved away his penalty claim.

Then in first half stoppage time Hollingshead made a fine stop to deny Iwunze’s header at goal, after the striker connected with an Aaron Skinner cross.

King’s Lynn provided a fine defensive performance to guard their lead and Michael Clunan blocked an inviting cross early in the second half.

The Linnets continued to provide a threat at the opposite end and Jesse Nwabueze crashed his 58th minute effort off the crossbar.

At the opposite end Cheltenham loanee Tustin provided an attacking outlet for the Bulls and dragged a 60th minute effort wide.

Any hope the Bulls had of a grandstand finish were over five minutes later with a third King’s Lynn goal.

Clunan turned provider and found Jones whose low strike from the edge of the box beat goalkeeper Theo Richardson.

The Bulls were left short of attacking threat with Luke Spokes’ curling effort comfortably saved, as was Kandola’s effort from range.

That was until injury time when substitute Keziah Martin crossed for Iwunze who sent his effort wide.

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Kandola, Merrett (Muir 60), Tustin, Waldron (Cox 67), Holmes (Williamson 74), Spokes, James (Martin 66), Iwunze, Howkins.

Unused subs: Hudson, Willis, Lewis.