A second-half header from defender Tom Scobbie was enough to ease 10-man Falkirk to a vital 2-1 victory over Motherwell in their bid to avoid relegation.

Carl Finnigan handed Falkirk a ninth-minute lead but, after Scobbie had doubled that advantage, the visitors ensured a nervy climax when they pulled one back.

Gerard Aafjes was sent off for bringing down David Clarkson with 20 minutes remaining and the Motherwell striker made no mistake from the spot.

Falkirk did not have long to wait for the breakthrough in what many felt was a must-win game for the home side. Jackie McNamara was involved in a flowing build-up in the ninth minute which saw Scott Arfield feed Neil McCann eight yards out with his back to goal.

The former Scotland winger turned marker Mark Reynolds one way and then the other before unselfishly squaring the ball across the six-yard area for Finnigan to shoot into an empty net.

As the half drew to a close, it was Falkirk who came closest to adding to the scoring when visiting keeper Graeme Smith raced from his line to deflect over Mark Stewart's shot on the run, and Scobbie then sent a header from McCann's free-kick just wide as Falkirk finished the stronger.

The hosts opened the second period in apprehensive fashion and allowed Motherwell long spells of possession, but - just as they had done in the first-half - they struck early in the half to stun their visitors.

McCann won a corner in the 56th minute as he ran at right-back Keith Lasley, who had been booked moments earlier for a foul on Scobbie.

Former Hearts and Rangers winger McCann then curled in a magnificent set-piece which was met by the unmarked Scobbie, who glanced his header into the top corner.

Falkirk were made to pay for that profligacy when Clarkson was pulled down by Aafjes in the 69th minute and the Scotland international blasted in from the spot as Aafjes was red-carded for a last-man foul.