After a run of six games without victory Darlington had to battle hard against a lively Barnet side who, on their first-half performance alone, deserved at least a draw out of the game.
But for Darlington's joint-caretaker managers Martin Gray and Neil Maddison it was a case of job well done at the end as they recorded their first win as a management team.
Darlington conceded five goals in their last home game and in this one they sat back at the start allowing the visitors plenty of opportunities on the ball.
After six minutes Magno Vieira was denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity by a block from on-loan defender Evan Horwood.
As the visitors continued to press Horwood was in action in the tenth minute, but a slip on the edge of the area left Dean Sinclair with a shot at goal. His effort, however, was poor and straight at Darlington keeper San Russell.
The home side settled their nerves and Horwood blasted a 35-yard drive wide in the 22nd minute and three minutes later a half-volley from Micky Cummins flashed across the face of Ross Flitney's goal.
Darlington had to reshuffle at the back when Horwood hobbled off in the 27th minute and as the home side readjusted defensively Barnet went close to a goal from defender Anthony Charles, whose header was cleared off the goal-line by Cummins in the 28th minute.
Former Darlington striker Tresor Kandol fired against an upright a minute before the interval and then his follow-up shot was easily dealt with by Russell.
A livelier second-half performance saw the home side take control after the introduction of Simon Johnson in the 66th minute.
Johnson side-footed the ball past Flitney in the 75th minute to open the scoring and then three minutes later a Neil Wainwright cross caused panic in the Barnet defence and a swinging boot from Joe Devera saw the ball fly passed Flitney for an unfortunately own-goal.
