Michael Higdon's second-half double and a strike from Patrick Cregg saw Falkirk romp to victory against Motherwell in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The visitors had rarely tested Fir Park goalkeeper Graeme Smith in a goalless first half in which their third-placed opponents had looked the likelier scorers, but John Hughes' side never looked back after taking the lead four minutes into the second half.

Motherwell, who were on run of five straight wins, missed the chance to go second in the league and equal a 70-year-old club record due to the defeat, their second of the season against today's opponents.

Fir Park manager Mark McGhee named an unchanged side for the fourth successive match, while visiting counterpart John Hughes made just one alteration to the team which had drawn at Hibernian, with Darren Barr returning from suspension in place of Gerard Aafjes, who had suffered a foot problem in training.

Ross McCormack had the first shot of the game after five minutes, blazing over the bar from 25 yards after Phil O'Donnell had glanced across a free-kick conceded by Michael Higdon.

Chris Porter then headed onto the roof of the net from close range after strike partner McCormack had weaved his way to the left corner and supplied a good cross.

McCormack forced Tim Krul into his first save after 12 minutes with a powerful strike from the left corner of the box which the Falkirk goalkeeper smothered at the near post.

Falkirk enjoyed plenty of possession and passed the ball well but never troubled home goalkeeper Graeme Smith in the opening quarter, their only real effort being a Steven Thomson shot from just outside the box which sailed well over the bar.

Motherwell had a spell of pressure after 25 minutes as they pressed for the opening goal.

First, Stephen Hughes slipped the ball to Porter on the right wing, who worked his way past Scott Arfield to play in David Clarkson, but the striker's close-range effort was smothered by Krul at the right-hand post.

Porter then headed over after Falkirk, who had failed to clear their lines, saw a dangerous ball pumped back into the box from the left by Steven McGarry.

But scoring chances were otherwise at a premium.

Smith made his first save of the game six minutes from the break when he collected Higdon's header at the far post following Dean Holden's cross from the left.

The keeper then confidently punched away the visitors' first corner, delivered from the left by Pedro Moutinho.

Falkirk took a surprise lead four minutes into the second half.

After a low-key restart from both teams, Holden suddenly worked his way into the left corner and crossed for Higdon to head into the bottom corner.

Motherwell came close to a rapid equaliser from a McCormack free-kick just outside the right edge of the box, as Hughes' drive was well blocked by Krul.

Instead, Higdon doubled his tally in simple style just before the hour.

Moutinho delivered a corner from the right which the Falkirk striker volleyed beyond Smith from 15 yards and into the bottom right corner.

Motherwell fans thought their team had reduced the deficit after 64 minutes when Porter unleashed a thudding drive, only to see it go into the side netting.

Almost immediately, Falkirk went 3-0 ahead.

The goal was again well-worked, with Steven Thomson passing inside to Patrick Cregg, who turned and shot past Smith to spark raucous celebrations.

Motherwell youngster Jamie Murphy weaved his way into the penalty box after 70 minutes and forced Krul to make an excellent save, the goalkeeper beating away his drive, while fellow home substitute Darren Smith stabbed one close-range effort over the bar and saw another saved.

Moutinho ran in from the left wing late on and saw his shot blocked by Graeme Smith.

Holden hit the bar following a Russell Latapy corner in the final minute and Murphy ran down the right for Motherwell and rounded the goalkeeper but had his effort blocked on the line by Krul.

Teams:

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson, Clarkson (Murphy 67), Hughes (Lasley 84), O'Donnell (Darren Smith 65), McGarry, McCormack, Porter.

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Corrigan, Brian McLean, Fitzpatrick.

Booked: Quinn.

Falkirk Krul, Ross, Holden, Barr, Scobbie, Moutinho (Latapy 83), Cregg, Thomson (Mitchell 90), Arfield, Barrett (Finnigan 76), Higdon.

Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Allison, Riera, Moffat.

Booked: Barrett, Ross.

Goals: Higdon 49, 60, Cregg 65.

Att: 5,241

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).