The Bairns, without a victory since beating Gretna on the opening day of the season, picked up the three points thanks to a 74th-minute curling free-kick which was intended as a cross but caught out Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith.
'Tiger Tim' The Toast Of Falkirk!
The Fir Park outfit had been the better team until that stage, with Chris Porter striking the post in the first half and Falkirk goalkeeper Tim Krul in inspired form to shut them out.
The visitors should have been ahead after less than two minutes but were denied by the brilliance of Krul.
David Clarkson scampered down the left and easily beat Aafjes before cutting back for Porter just five yards out.
The former Oldham striker looked certain to score, but Krul made a superb point-blank save to turn the ball away for a corner.
Seconds later Krul again proved his prowess when the Dutchman made an excellent stop from Steven McGarry's strike after the impressive Clarkson had played him in.
The majority of the 5,245 crowd were keen for Falkirk to create more and Scobbie obliged when he crossed for Higdon to nod just wide of goal. Fitzpatrick then saw a weak header held by Krul at the other end.