Michael Higdon's third goal in a week earned Falkirk a battling victory and stretched their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions.
In a game lacking clear-cut chances, Higdon's excellent strike lit up the Falkirk Stadium on 37 minutes.
The striker finished off a flowing four-man move to drive home from the edge of the penalty area.
Motherwell were left to reflect on a glorious chance passed up by Marc Fitzpatrick with the game goalless.
Given the windy conditions it would have been wise for both sides to keep the ball on the ground.
But it was the aerial route that almost paid dividends on seven minutes.
A short free-kick was played back to Dean Holden and his lofted cross was met by Higdon but his header was straight at keeper Graeme Smith.
Falkirk then breathed a massive sigh of relief in the 12th minute after uncertainty at the back nearly led to a Motherwell breakthrough.
John Sutton's back header caused chaos in the Bairns' penalty area with neither defence or an edgy Flinders taking charge.
Under pressure, David Clarkson slid the ball just wide of the right upright.
Higdon then replied with a skewed shot wide from 15 yards after Steve Lovell had laid the ball off to him.
Clarkson went closer on 20 minutes, his low angled drive held by Flinders at the second attempt as Stephen Hughes lurked.
In the 26th minute, McGhee's side should have been ahead.
A Hughes cross from the left found Fitzpatrick in space but Lee Bullen brilliantly blocked his close-range effort.
However, the rebound fell back to the midfielder and with the goal gaping he somehow placed his seven-yard shot wide of the post.
Suddenly, on 37 minutes, the breakthrough arrived as Falkirk grabbed a superbly well-worked opener.
Lovell's lay-off at the halfway line found Scott Arfield who swiftly moved the ball out to Graham Barrett on the right.
The Irishman's quick, accurate cross picked out Higdon, who cushioned the ball on his chest before rifling an 18-yard drive into the far left-hand corner for his seventh of the season.
On the hour mark Falkirk twice went within inches of doubling their lead.
Lovell neatly played in the on-rushing Barrett who was brilliantly denied by Smith's left boot.
The rebound fell kindly back to him but he saw his next attempt catch the outside of the right post.
Burton O'Brien then played in Lovell on the left but, as Smith came racing out from his goal, the striker's long-range chip drifted past.
The game had grown tedious, Falkirk appearing content to hold their lead as they began to sit deeper, inviting the Fir Park side onto them.
It was a dangerous ploy and one that almost backfired on 80 minutes when Sutton laid off to Porter whose well-placed shot looked net-bound until Flinders stretched out a hand.
Late home substitute Mark Stewart then quickly saw an on-target shot deflected wide by Mark Reynolds for a corner before Higdon's effort was blocked over from the set-piece.
A frantic Well rally at the death saw Hughes' shot crowded out as the Bairns survived to emerge victorious.
Falkirk manager John Hughes:
"I felt in the last 20 minutes we sat in a bit and we rode our a luck a bit. Scott Flinders made a really great save and I'm really pleased for him.
"But also we could have gone up and scored another few goals ourselves.
"In terms of commitment, doing the fundamentals, attitude and work ethic it was there."
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:
"I think that was about 10% of the performance we gave in midweek. I think midweek caught up with us and we looked a bit jaded.
"We were lacking in real incision and looked tired. Keith Lasley, who was brilliant midweek, looked to have no energy.
"It was a disappointing game for us and we can see why it was and we'll recover from that."
Falkirk: Flinders, McNamara, Holden (Mitchell 80), Barr, Bullen, McBride, Arfield, O'Brien, Barrett (Mark Stewart 80), Higdon, Lovell. Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Cregg, Riera, Lynch, Staunton.
Goals: Higdon 37.
Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Reynolds, Malcolm, Lasley (Porter 56), Hughes, Fitzpatrick, McGarry (Murphy 66), Clarkson (Darren Smith 80), Sutton. Subs Not Used: Nielsen, Klimpl, O'Brien, Connolly.
Att: 5,279
Ref: W Collum (Scotland).
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