A Scott McDonald double helped maintain Motherwell's push for a top-six finish in the SPL after a frantic second half at Fir Park.

The Australian gave Well the lead in an uneventful first period which

Falkirk slightly shaded and struck a glorious second within a minute of the

restart. Richie Foran soon made it three moments before Patrick Cregg hit back, but the Bairns could not find any more goals.

The game attracted a healthy crowd with all proceeds going to the planned Maggie's Cancer Care Centre in Wishaw.

Well brought back Phil O'Donnell and Jim Hamilton with Brian Kerr and David Clarkson dropping to the bench, while Falkirk were unchanged.

The hosts forced a couple of corners in the opening minutes and McDonald's shot on the turn was comfortably saved.

Falkirk then missed two great chances in a minute. Daniel McBreen capitalised on confusion in the home central defence and struck a powerful volley from 16 yards that Colin Meldrum brilliantly tipped over.

In the sixth minute, Alan Gow missed from three yards as he failed to get a strong connection to Mark Twaddle's low cross.

Gow was involved in another good move moments later, laying the ball to McBreen who shot just over from inside the box.

The hosts forced more corners without troubling goalkeeper Allan Ferguson and they were finding it difficult to break through an organised and hard-working Bairns side.

But Motherwell took the lead in the 31st minute with a typical striker's goal from McDonald.

Foran's cross from the left found Hamilton 20 yards out and his superb volley was only parried by Ferguson, and McDonald nipped in to take the ball round the goalkeeper and slot home.

Gow had a chance right in front of goal from a corner but a crowd of home defenders blocked from close range amid appeals for handball.

McDonald scored a brilliant second within a minute of the restart.

Hamilton dispossessed Steven Thomson midway inside the Falkirk half and fed his strike partner, who curled the ball into the far corner from just outside the box.

Kevin McBride was booked for a late tackle on Cregg and McBreen was claiming for handball moments later after a ball into the box brushed past Brian McLean.

Foran made it 3-0 for Well in the 53rd minute, cutting in from the left and curling a glorious shot into the far corner after Hamilton had won the ball near the touchline.

A minute later the Bairns screamed for a penalty again when Steven Hammell blocked a Russell Latapy shot with his upper body.

McBreen was booked for dissent after disputing a goal-kick award but Falkirk did have something to cheer about in the 55th minute when Cregg worked his way into the box and fired the ball in off the far post.

The assistant referee had his flag raised but ref Stuart Dougal gave the goal after a discussion.

Alan McCormack was booked for Well before his defence gifted possession to Falkirk and Liam Craig fired just wide of goal from 20 yards out in the left channel.

Thomson was booked for a bad tackle on O'Donnell as the game grew increasingly bad-tempered.

Latapy drove a low free-kick from 30 yards but Meldrum was comfortably behind it. Craig struck just wide from 15 yards out after the ball spun towards him following another good move from the Bairns.

Falkirk continued to throw men forward and another high ball towards Meldrum caused panic but the ball ended up behind for a goal kick.

But as the game entered the final 15 minutes, the home side began to keep the ball and relieve the pressure on their defence.

McDonald broke down the left and was tripped by Kenny Milne on the edge of the box as he cut inside, but substitute Brian Kerr's free-kick was easily saved.

In the final minute, Hammell found Hamilton 20 yards out but his first-time volley flashed a yard over the crossbar.

Teams

Motherwell Meldrum, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean, Hammell,McBride (Kerr 60), McCormack, O'Donnell (Paterson 90), Foran,Scott McDonald (Clarkson 87), Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Martin, McGarry, Kinniburgh, Reynolds.

Booked: McBride, McCormack.

Goals: Scott McDonald 31, 46, Foran 53.

Falkirk Ferguson, Ross (Rodrigues 45), Lawrie, Milne, Twaddle,Craig, Latapy, Cregg (Moutinho 84), Thomson, Gow, McBreen.

Subs Not Used: Howard, Lima, Lescinel, Theobold, O'Donnell.

Booked: McBreen, Thomson, Milne.

Goals: Cregg 55.

Att: 8,179

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).