But for all the Ayrshire side's attractive attacking play of this season, they had to rely on defensive mistakes to create the goalscoring chances.
They had the perfect start with a goal in only the third minute. The Falkirk defence had the chance to clear Garry Hay's corner but could only find Danny Invincibile at the edge of the area and the Australian swept home a sweet left-footed half-volley.
Rising star Stevie Naismith had a great chance to make it two three minutes later when Gary Wales teed him up, but he skewed his shot wide.
Falkirk found a foothold in the game and could have equalised in the fourteenth minute when Russel Latapy set Daniel McBreen free. He cut the ball back for the inrushing Steven Thompson, but the skipper could only steer it wide of the far post with the goal gaping.
The leveller was only delayed five minutes. The Bairns burst forward after Naismith and Colin Nish had passed up a chance for |Killie. McBreen looked offside as he raced on to a long ball but was allowed to go on. Keeper Graeme Smith blocked his first effort, but the rebound fell kindly for McBreen who tucked home in the corner.
Kilmarnock had chances to go ahead again before the interval, but Nish headed over from a good position before Allan Johnston's textbook volley was deflected inches wide. Allan Ferguson also had to produce a great save to deny Hay as Falkirk held on to be level at the interval.
The second half was scrappy and Killie clinched a vital three points to lift them into fourth place in the SPL through Naismith in the 75th minute. The teenager's touch looked to be out on the day, but the Kilie coaching staff decided against substituting him and they were re-paid when the Falkirk defence got in each other's way and teed him up 16 yards out and he fired low into the corner.