Carl Finnigan's emphatic second-half finish helped Falkirk to a comfortable home win as they leapfrogged Hearts into seventh place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

In the Bairns' final home match of the campaign, they were the dominant force to secure back-to-back wins against an ineffectual Inverness outfit.

Top scorer Michael Higdon broke Caley Thistle's resistance with a 28th-minute opener - his first goal since December 29 after knee surgery - before Finnigan added the decisive second on 69 minutes. Craig Brewster's side had won three of their last four but they were especially disappointing in attack despite Barry Wilson's injury-time penalty consolation.

John Hughes' men were unchanged from Monday's 2-1 win over Hearts, but Inverness restored goalkeeper Michael Fraser in place of Zibi Malkowski who dropped to the bench.

Falkirk, in their new home strip, almost made the perfect start within 75 seconds. Thomas Scobbie's curling free-kick landed on the head of Higdon but he could only stoop to nod straight at Fraser.

However, a better chance fell to the Highlanders before five minutes had elapsed. Rory McAllister's through-ball allowed Wilson to outpace the home defence and round Shane Supple, who had rashly moved out to his 18-yard line. But from a tight angle the veteran winger was unable to find the empty net as he sliced over.

The Bairns, backed by a support boosted by the distribution of almost 2,000 free tickets, shrugged off the escape to dominate.

Scobbie and Higdon again linked up in the 15th minute but the latter's header was again gathered by Fraser.

Seconds later Higdon passed up his best opportunity yet. Pedro Moutinho's trickery allowed the Liverpudlian a clear sight of goal from 12 yards, but his chipped effort drifted past the left upright. A mix-up in the visiting rearguard then saw Moutinho almost profit, forcing Richard Hastings to hack clear.

Despite lacking the input of Hughes who was starting his huge six-match touchline ban, Falkirk remained in full control.

Kevin McBride was next to threaten, flashing in a drive from the right that brushed the side-netting, before the inevitable breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute.

Moutinho's corner drifted across to Higdon at the back post and he slid in to divert the ball into the far corner for his ninth of the campaign.

McAllister threatened a reply when he fired across goal, but right-back Christopher Mitchell nearly doubled the lead when his attempted cross almost crept into the top corner.

Inverness at least forced a first shot on target when Supple impressively held Don Cowie's 25-yarder.

It was Falkirk who retained control after the restart and Scott Arfield should have done better than scuff a shot weakly into Fraser's arms.

But the visitors passed up a glorious opportunity to level in the 55th minute. Wilson picked out McAllister from the right but the marksman was unable to get enough on his close-range header as it drifted wide.

Finnigan then tried to his luck at the other end, after a Mitchell headed lay-off, yet Fraser again gathered.

Roy McBain soon held his head in his hands after lashing into the side-netting from a good position and Inverness were made to pay in the 69th minute when Falkirk added a second.

A neat flick from Moutinho played in Finnigan on the right and the ex-Newcastle youth composed himself to plant the ball into the roof of the net.

Hughes, content with the scoreline, brought on youngster Kevin Moffat as Inverness struggled to create.

Higdon then headed just past from only six yards but he was adjudged offside, possibly to his own relief.

Moffat almost added further gloss to the victory when he drove over late on.

But Caley Thistle claimed a consolation in injury time when Scobbie fouled Wilson in the area and the winger tucked home the penalty.

Teams:

Falkirk Supple, Aafjes, Barr, Scobbie, Cregg, McBride, Mitchell, Arfield (Latapy 59), Moutinho (Moffat 76), Finnigan (Stewert 86), Higdon.

Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Ross, Barrett, Bradley.

Goals: Higdon 28, Finnigan 68.

Inverness CT Fraser, Proctor, Tokely, Hastings, Imrie, Wilson, Black (Duncan 46), Cowie, McAllister (Bayne 71), Niculae (Vigurs 80), McBain.

Subs Not Used: Malkowski, Hart, Wyness, Kerr.

Booked: Proctor, Bayne.

Goals: Wilson 90 pen.

Att: 5,631

Ref: S Somers (Cumbernauld).