The Bairns came under serious pressure in the opening ten minutes as Rangers showed the kind of form that has seem them progress well in Europe if not in domestic competition.
But as the weather deteriorated so did the standard of play on both sides.
Falkirk came close to taking the lead on 13 minutes after a defensive mix-up between Brahim Hemdani and goalkeeper Allan McGregor. Hemdani passed the ball back but McGregor, who off his line, was forced to race back and clear the effort just before it crossed the line.
At the other end Charlie Adam forced a good save from Jeroen Lambers in the Falkirk goal but Rangers could not keep possession of the ball and Falkirk took the lead on 26 minutes after winning a corner.
Trinidad and Tobago international Russell Latapy beat the blustery wind to find Mark Twaddle in the area and he headed the ball over the line.
Adam and Nacho Novo both continued to look dangerous on the break but the strong wind and heavy rain scuppered both sides' hopes of playing any kind of flowing football.
Rangers suffered another blow just before the break when prolific striker Kris Boyd picked up an injury and was forced out of the action.
The visitors went into the interval a goal down knowing that on the three previous occasions they had trailed at the break in the SPL this season they had failed to hit back.
In the second half the best opportunities for both sides came on the counter-attack with Falkirk more frequently on the back foot. Tempers boiled over on both sides as frustration set in 15 minutes from time and several players had to be separated in a goalmouth scuffle.
Ten minutes from time veteran Latapy had an opportunity to finish off the game on the break but blasted his shot wide and into the stands.