Strikes from substitute Carl Finnigan from Falkirk and Inverness middleman John Rankin added flavour right at the end.
The hosts brought in Richard Hart and Stuart McCaffrey for the suspended Ian Black and Darren Dods.
The Bairns meanwhile were without Craig Ireland and Graham Barrett.
A fairly lively opening saw a Graham Bayne inspired move being ended by the challenge from Kenny Milne and Dean Holden flashed a header wide from Alan Gow's set piece.
Falkirk's Kasper Schmeichel was then called into action and got down well to clutch a Barry Wilson piledriver.
He did even better moments later when he pushed a net-bound heart shot over the top.
Russell Duncan on 18 minutes watched Schmeichel then easily gather his 20-yard effort.
Inverness midfielder Rankin rarely scores ordinary goals and he almost bagged a cracker on 34 minutes but his drive had just too much height.
The best chance of the first half came right before the interval but Bayne wasted it after being put clear in the box by fellow attacker Craig Dargo.
Falkirk suffered an early setback after the interval when Holden indicated a hamstring injury to the bench and was replaced by Thomas Scobbie.
The visitors began to take control of the game with Russell Latapy pulling the strings in his usual manner.
Falkirk's goal came with 11 minutes left when substitute Finnigan directed a fine low drive into the corner when given a glimpse at goal.
Inverness threw on striker Rory McAllister to try and level it and they did just that when Rankin directed a cross into the net from eight yards.