John Salako's first half penalty ensured Brentford's first away win of the season against a dire Walsall side.
The decisive incident arrived in the 30th minute, when Walsall's Darren Wrack brought down Isaiah Rankin from behind and Salako's perfectly placed spot-kick sent keeper Mark Paston the wrong way.
It was a killer blow for Paul Merson's Walsall, who slid to their first home defeat of the season and never really looked like accomplishing anything else.
It was 39 minutes before they threatened the Brentford goal, a header by Matt Fryatt going well wide from a cross by Michael Standing.
Both Jorge Leitao and Kris Taylor had headers which also failed to trouble the Bees keeper Stuart Nelson.
Walsall were better in the second half, but still lacked the commitment of Brentford for whom Salako and defenders Andrew Frampton and Sam Sodje were outstanding.
On 66 minutes Merson brought on young striker Taiwo Atieno for experienced midfielder Mark Kinsella, but even with three up front, the Saddlers still looked ineffective and seemed to lack a game-plan.
Salako went close to scoring on 71 minutes when his fierce angled drive had Paston panicking, but the keeper's outstretched arm somehow sent the ball over.
Shortly afterwards Mark Wright cleared off the line from the hard working ex-Walsall striker Deon Burton, while Walsall front man Leitao saw a header deflected over for a corner from Taylor's free kick.
Walsall became desperate for the equaliser, with outstanding defender Ian Roper moving up only to have a shot deflect into Nelson's hands.
In the 90th minute Standing had a penalty appeal turned down when many thought he had been brought down by Nelson.
Despite the late rally Walsall plunged into the bottom four and urgent action needs taking immediately if they are not to be relegation candidates.
Brentford on the other hand can keep threatening at the top if they maintain this determination.