McDonald celebrates goal number 5,000 in the SPL

Anthony Stokes scored his 13th goal in 13 games when he shot Falkirk in front but Richie Foran levelled from the penalty spot before the break.

Foran was again on target with his second penalty only for Russell Latapy to drill home from 20 yards.

But McDonald blazed a shot high into the net and Calum Elliot added a late header after Stokes had been sent off.

Hughes unhappy with Stokes sending off

Malpas happy with win over Falkirk

After last weekend's 6-1 drubbing from Hibs, a good performance was needed from Motherwell.

And the three points sees them move clear of bottom club Dunfermline.

Motherwell started strongly and should have taken the lead when McDonald's back-heel found David Clarkson unmarked six-yards out.

But the striker fired over the crossbar and soon after Foran hit the side-netting with a powerful header.

Falkirk then stole ahead on 37 minutes when Stephen O'Donnell and Alan Gow combined to set up Stokes, who did well to skip past Paul Quinn and slot past Colin Meldrum from an acute angle.

Foran scored twice from the penalty spot at Fir Park

Motherwell were back on level terms on the stroke of half-time when Mark Twaddle handled and Foran executed the penalty.

Well surged into the lead when they won another penalty just 52 seconds after the interval.

McDonald tumbled under pressure from Kenny Milne and Foran was on target again

Falkirk hauled themselves back into the game after 70 minutes when Stokes set up Latapy and the veteran midfielder stroked the ball home from 15 yards.

But Motherwell restored their lead in style just five minutes later when Lasley's cross picked out McDonald and he fired in a superb 12-yard drive.

Falkirk suffered another blow after 79 minutes when Stokes picked up his second yellow of the day for diving.

There was further misery in store for the Bairns when an Elliot header cracked off the underside of the bar and bounced over the line on 83 minutes.

A good day for the home side ended with a first appearance of the season for Martyn Corrigan after recovering from cruciate ligament damage.

Motherwell: Meldrum, Quinn, Kinniburgh, Reynolds, Paterson, McGarry (Corrigan 84), Lasley, Kerr, Foran, McDonald, Clarkson (Elliot 72). Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, McBride, Fitzpatrick, Connolly, Coakley.

Booked: McDonald, Foran, Kinniburgh, McGarry. Goals: Foran 45 pen, 49 pen, McDonald 75, Elliot 83.

Falkirk: Lambers, Twaddle, Barr, Ross (McManus 81), Milne, Gow, Cregg, O'Donnell (Craig 68), Thomson (Lima 68), Stokes, Latapy. Subs Not Used: Higgins, Dodd, Scobbie, Mcstay.

Sent Off: Stokes (78). Booked: Barr, Twaddle, Cregg, O'Donnell, Stokes. Goals: Stokes 36, Latapy 71.

Att: 4,970

Ref: C Thomson