The win meant so much as it came at their 11th attempt.
The league’s basement side brought a damaging losing streak to an end with a hard-fought 17-13 success over Cross Keys at Parc de Pugh at the weekend.
The result halted a sequence of 10 consecutive league losses since the opening weekend and marked Brecon’s first triumph under the stewardship of former Wales hooker Dacey.
He assumed control at the conclusion of last season after the previous coaching group, led by Dale McIntosh, enjoyed three outstanding years that included two promotions.
“It’s been a difficult start to the season in terms of the way the fixtures have fallen and obviously, you’ve had injuries thrown into that mix,” said Dacey.
“This isn’t a team that’s built on budget. It’s a team that’s built on players who want to test themselves at this level.
“And for us to go out there and play the way we played and grind out the win against a very good Cross Keys side, the boys were relieved more than anything to actually get across the line.
“But I think it does give them that belief and that awareness to realise that they’re good enough to be at this level.
“Like I’ve just said to them, I’m immensely proud. It’s been tough for all of us; the club, the players, the staff, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes.
“This is something that I’ve told everybody. It was something that we had to earn and the boys did that and, from me and from the coaching staff, we’re just immensely proud.”
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Tries from wing Huw Jones and full-back Jake Newman proved decisive, both converted by Rhys Davies, who also added a penalty.
Max Heathman crossed for the visitors, while Josh Malson supplied the conversion and two penalties.
Despite the breakthrough victory, Brecon remain deep in relegation trouble with seven points, still 14 adrift of safety.
Elsewhere, Narberth boosted their survival hopes by moving six points clear of the drop zone after producing a shock 21-14 win over league leaders Pontypridd at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.
Pontypridd, despite fielding a depleted side, struck first when full-back Rhodri Smith crossed after 21 minutes, with Jaydan Pugh converting.
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Narberth responded swiftly as centre Ilan Phillips touched down 10 minutes later, Jonathan Rogers adding the conversion to leave the scores level at 7-7 at half-time.
The visitors regained the advantage shortly after the interval when wing Dale Stuckey finished off an impressive team move, with Pugh again successful from the tee.
The try was Stuckey’s 108th for Pontypridd, lifting him into outright fourth place on the club’s all-time try-scoring list.
Narberth hit back on the hour as full-back Ashley Sutton claimed his second try of the match, once again converted by Rogers.
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The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute when wing Osian Hill burst through the defence to score out wide following sustained pressure from the hosts.
Rogers added the extras to seal Narberth’s fifth victory of the season and propel them up three places to eighth.
The Otters moved above Cardiff Met, who were not in action, as well as Llangennech and Newbridge, whose home fixtures against Bargoed and Beddau respectively were postponed.
Champions Merthyr also saw their clash with Llanelli Wanderers called off.
Pontypridd’s losing bonus point slightly extends their advantage at the summit, leaving them two points clear of both Merthyr and Beddau, though Merthyr hold two games in hand and Beddau one.
Ystrad Rhondda’s scheduled encounter with Neath was also postponed.
