Due to two postponements in a row, the Bees had not been in action since a 2-1 win over high-flying Chesterfield on January 12.
Andy Scott's men took advantage of their mid-season break to have a team bonding trip to Malaga this week and, although Scott insisted it was hard training all the way, the momentum looked like it had gone from Brentford's brilliant recent run.
Previously the Bees had won five games in a row, but County came to Griffin Park looking to frustrate Scott's men playing 4-5-1 and packing the midfield.
The Bees started brightly with Gary Smith seeing his shot saved after a flowing move, before Ross Montague's deflected effort was held a minute later.
Karleigh Osborne went off with concussion on 17 minutes and was replaced by Charlton loan signing Osei Sankofa.
County's first effort of note came from Ali Gibb who forced a brilliant save from Ben Hamer on 23 minutes, before Richard Butcher fired over the rebound.
But it was all Brentford in the first half with Glenn Poole hitting Montague's lay-off from a Ricky Shakes' cross over, Alan Connell forcing a save from a classy Montague lay-off and visiting keeper Kevin Pilkington tipping over Shakes' cross-shot which was dipping in the far post.
County almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Hamer was penalised for picking up a back pass, but the free-kick on the six-yard line was scrambled away.
As fluent as Brentford were in the first half, they were frustrated by County after the break with chances few and far between.
Pilkington saved from Shakes with Connell closing in on 51 minutes, before Montague shot wide on the hour-mark.
But Gibb reminded the Bees of the danger at the other end by pulling his shot just wide.