A Jim Hamilton header secured all three points for Motherwell at the Falkirk Stadium.

Falkirk produced their trademark battling performance but have still to record a Bank of Scotland Premier League win at home this season.

It was a scrappy game with six players booked, four of those wearing the claret and amber of Motherwell, and even the wizardry of Russell Latapy in the middle of the pitch was stunted at times.

The Trinidad & Tobago international found out on Friday he has a date with England to look forward this summer at the World Cup finals in Germany.

The Falkirk playmaker also became a father to a baby boy, also Russell, at 5am on Saturday morning and he would have been hoping for a win against Motherwell to celebrate.

The Bairns were boosted by last week's battling 2-2 draw against Rangers at Ibrox - a result which almost cost Alex McLeish his job.

But the home side quickly found that losing their unwanted record of no league wins at the Falkirk Stadium this season would not be child's play, despite a lively start to the game.

Pedro Moutinho sent a superb diagonal ball to the feet of Andy Lawrie on the right flank and the Falkirk forwards raced into the box in anticipation of the cross.

He did not disappoint, delivering an inch-perfect ball to the head of Alan Gow, who connected square on the forehead, only to see his header creep just over the crossbar.

It was an opportunity Falkirk would be left rueing as Motherwell shook off their malaise and started creating some problems of their own for the Bairns' defence.

Paul Quinn was the provider when Hamilton nodded well over the woodwork.

But the Fir Park side came closer a few minutes later when David Clarkson drew an impressive block from goalkeeper Matt Glennon, with his 20-yard drive.

Falkirk then claimed Kevin McBride had handled in the area but those pleas were ignored by referee Mike Ritchie.

There was little for either goalkeeper to do until the half-time whistle but the official was kept busy, handing out yellow cards to Gow, Brian McLean and Martyn Corrigan before the break.

Quinn was fortunate not to add to the crime count, when he escaped unpunished after reacting to a Neil Scally challenge with a shove.

The second half began the way the first had ended, with the referee flashing another yellow card. This time Steven Hammell was cautioned for a foul on Lawrie.

It may have been a sleepless night for new dad Latapy, but he should have handed Falkirk the lead when he burst through on goal, only to drag his shot across the face of goal and past the upright.

If that was close, the Motherwell net should have been left bulging when Scally split the defence, releasing Moutinho on goal with only Graeme Smith to beat.

But the Motherwell goalkeeper stood tall and did well to parry the point-blank shot at the near post.

If Falkirk were beginning to think it may not be their day after all, those thoughts were confirmed when Motherwell took the lead with 59 minutes gone.

Hammell's free-kick picked out Hamilton and he left the Falkirk goalkeeper with no chance when he bulleted home the header from 15 yards.

Falkirk refused to give up and McLean was forced to make a last-ditch clearance to prevent Darryl Duffy drilling home from five yards.

Latapy then forced a decent save from Smith with a 30-yard free-kick, before the Motherwell goalkeeper was called into action again to turn a Daniel McBreen header past the far post.

But substitute Scott McDonald could have all but put the game beyond Falkirk with eight minutes to go only for his right-footed drive to be punched to safety by Glennon.

Teams:

Falkirk Glennon, Lawrie, McPherson, Milne, Rodrigues, Latapy, Lima (O'Neil 83), Scally (McStay 83), Moutinho (McBreen 62), Gow, Duffy.

Subs Not Used: McSween, Twaddle, Allison, Ferguson.

Booked: Gow, Rodrigues.

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Hammell, Craigan, McLean, Paul Quinn, McBride (Fagan 87), McCormack (O'Donnell 76), Kerr, Clarkson (Scott McDonald 58), Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Kinniburgh, Coakley, Fitzpatrick, Meldrum.

Booked: McLean, Corrigan, Hammell, McCormack.

Goals: Hamilton 59.

Att: 4,972

Ref: M Ritchie (Scotland).