A tactical change led to Quakers collecting three valuable points and climbing over Hereford into the automatic promotion places.
Manager Dave Penney used a 4-3-3 formation in the first half - -a tactic which worked so successfully at Bury in the previous game - but he decided to ditch the formation at half time, and use the more tried and trusted 4-4-2.
The first half was best forgotten, and to use the well worn cliché, defences were well on top as Quakers only rustled up a couple of half chances, while Brentford's Nathan Elder went close twice with headers.
But there was more confidence about Quakers in the second half, and on 48 minutes they took the lead when Ryan Valentine, playing at right back because of Neil Austin's suspension, floated a cross over to the far post where Guy Ndumbu-Nsungu headed past Brentford keeper Ben Hamer - taking his two spells at the club into account, he has now scored in five successive games.
Ten minutes later, Julian Joachim scored the goal of the game when following a patient build up involving new loanee Jason Kennedy and Micky Cummins, he played a one-two with Kevin Gall and stroked the ball into the top corner for his sixth goal of the season.
Quakers could have sewn the game up, but Brentford pulled a goal back on 82 minutes when sub Reuben Reid tapped in a low cross, much to David Stockdale's displeasure.
But in stoppage time, Hamer dropped a teasing left wing cross from sub Neil Wainwright and Pawel Abbott turned the loose ball into the net.
Darlo moved up to third place, because Hereford lost at home to Stockport County, and they can comsolidate that position by beating Chester City at the Arena on Tuesday night.
Darlington: Stockdale ,Valentine ,Foster ,Miller ,Parker ,Hodge (Wainwright ,80 ) ,Cummins ,Kennedy ,Joachim ,Gall (Blundell ,73 ) ,Ndumbu-Nsungu (Abbott ,63)
Subs not used: Kazimierczak,Wiseman,
Brentford: Hamer ,Pead ,Sankofa ,Osborne ,Dickson ,Poole ,Smith ,Milsom (Mousinho ,76 ) ,Wayne Brown (Shakes ,66 ) ,Connell ,Elder (Reid ,66)
Subs not used Simon Brown,Charles,
Referee; Dave Foster (Newcastle upon Tyne)
