Falkirk came out of the traps with a more physical approach but lost Mark Stewart to a head knock.
It was Killie who emerged stronger from the initial battle and the first half was a tale of home domination.
As the half wore on they got closer and closer to an opening goal without making the crucial breakthrough.
Just as in the previous encounter a month ago, Kevin Kyle was the main threat to the Bairns defence.
In the 28th minute his acrobatic overhead kick flew over.
Five minutes later he met Gavin Skelton's corner with a meaty header which flew just over and a minute later the Falkirk defence switched off and Kyle should have done better then glance another header wide.
Kyle was not the only profligate Killie player as Jamie Hamill blazed his team's clearest chance over from 16 yards.
Kilmarnock were rampant as the half closed and Danny Mallo had to make a great save with his legs to deny Kyle.
But he saved his best of then half until the end as her threw himself to his left to parry Hamill's powerful strike to safety.
As has happened so often at Rugby Park this season, Killie paid a heavy price for missed chances as Falkirk took the lead ten minutes into the second half.
Neil McCann swung over a great corner kick and Darren Barr beat a posse of defenders and keeper Alan Combe to nod the ball home at the near post.
Killie clawed themselves level in the 67th minute following a long ball from Combe.
Willie Gibson controlled the ball for Kyle to hammer a left-foot shot past Mallo from 20 yards.
Another McCann corner almost put Falkirk back in front but Combe was lucky as the ball spun off his arms onto the post and past.
The home fans thought Kyle had put Kilmarnock ahead with only seven minutes left but his header shaved the wrong side of the post.