Caretaker manager Nicky Forster paid tribute to Andy Scott as Brentford beat Exeter 2-1 and booked a trip to Wembley for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final.
Scott was sacked as boss last week after eight games without a win, although that run did include a 1-1 draw with Exeter in the home leg of the southern area final.
Striker Forster, having decided to leave himself out of the team last night, saw his side surge 2-0 ahead within 26 minutes as Myles Weston set up goals for Sam Saunders and Gary Alexander.
Daniel Nardiello's late strike could not deny Brentford their first trip to Wembley since 1997, when they lost the League Two Play-off Final to Crewe.
Forster said: "Credit must go to Andy Scott and [his assistant] Terry Bullivant, they got us to this stage.
"The boys are elated. It has been an emotional couple of days. I thought we were superb in the first half. To go 2-0 up in the manner we did was fantastic. We scored two very good goals.
"It's a fantastic achievement and the players deserve the credit, they really do. They probed us a bit in the secondhalf and asked some questions. But on the night I thought we were worthy winners."
The Bees are likely to face Carlisle in the final on 3 April, as they hold a 4-0 lead ahead of the second leg of their northern area final at Huddersfield.
