Martin Butler produced his third goal since his return to the club but the influence of new manager, Richard Money, is having a major impact as the Saddlers moved into second place behind Swindon.
The highly motivated Walsall side seemingly owe a great deal to Money, who has injected much needed fresh inspiration after a couple of years of dejection and relegation.
Darlington had been looking to the experience of Julian Joachim to inspire a much needed success but his fall from the Premiership into division two in a comparatively short space of time now has to be viewed with some concern for a player who appeared to have all the assets - skill, pace and goalscoring ability.
He certainly failed to hit the high notes against Walsall despite an early attempt on goal. But this promise faded into a generally ineffective performance and he was substituted late in the game.
Walsall were often the more dangerous side in the first half without really bring able to turn their advantage into goals until Butler's strike just before the break.
Darlington enjoyed several narrow escapes including the raw James Constable shooting weakly in front of goal to allow Joey Hutchinson to make a clearance.
The Quakers then nearly handed the game on a plate to Walsall when Darren Holloway blasted the ball at his own goal only to be rescued by a brilliant save by Sam Russell.
Walsall built up some strong pressure in the closing stages of the first period and in the 44th minute a Darren Keates free-kick was back-headed by Carlos Fangueiro for the lurking Butler to scramble home from close range.
Darlington had some brighter moments in the second half with Gaetano Giallanza wasting a clear opportunity from a Joachim cross when he handled the ball to earn himself a yellow card.
Later only a goal-line clearance by substitute Kris Taylor foiled another Giallanza goal attempt as the Quakers turned up the heat in their unsuccessful bid to salvage a point.
While Walsall have yet to concede a goal at home this season Darlington failed to score for the first time.