But for Livi it simply piled on the agony as they wrote themselves into the record books for all the wrong reasons.
Their tally of 19 points is the lowest ever for a team relegated from the Premierleague.
It was a shocking game but Falkirk just deserved their victory as they created the clearer openings in the match.
Pedro Moutinho brought an early save from Roddy McKenzie with a low 20-yarder but goalmouth action was at a premium.
Alan Gow did have the ball in the net with a sharp finish from the edge of the box but was caught offside.
The second half was slightly better with McBreen heading Patrick Cregg's cross into the sidenetting and Moutinho forcing McKenzie into a sharp save low down to his left.
The decisive goal came after 72 minutes when McBreen's run to the near post allowed him to glance home Gow's free-kick.
Vitor Lima almost added to Falkirk's lead with a spectacular effort from 60 yards that beat McKenzie but landed on the roof of the net.
Sub Liam Craig made a great solo burst that tore through the heart of Livingston's defence, but McKenzie did well to block the youngster's shot.
Despite dominating proceedings for long periods, Falkirk were almost caught by a sucker punch in the closing minutes, when Graham Dorrans blasted a glorious opening from 15 yards high over the bar.