DARLINGTON moved back into the automatic promotion places following Saturday's 3-1 win over Brentford.

After a poor first half, in which Quakers failed to record a single shot, Dave Penney's men responded to a change in tactics with a much-improved second 45 minutes.

Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu set Darlington on their way to victory with a 48th minute header.

That strike seemed to calm the nerves of the home side, who soon added a second through Julian Joachim.

The former Aston Villa striker linked up well with Kevin Gall, before firing past Bees keeper Ben Hamer.

Substitute Reuben Reid gave the visitors some hope when he pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute, despite Darlington's appeals for offside.

Then an amazing off-the-ball incident saw Brentford defender Craig Pead strike his own team-mate, goalkeeper Ben Hamer.

And Brentford's misery was compounded when Pawel Abbott added a third Darlington goal in injury time with a close range finish.

The result takes Quakers up to third following Hereford's home defeat to Stockport.