Steve Lovell's first goal for Falkirk saw them edge past Queen of the South into the quarter-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup despite a spirited second half fight back by the Doonhamers.
Queens, boosted by the return of Steve Tosh following suspension, almost made the perfect start inside two minutes. Dobbie was impeded and left-back Bob Harris saw his 18-yard free-kick deflected over after McCann had been sloppy in gifting the visitors possession.
The Bairns replied when Lovell - making his first start - laid the ball back for McCann, who clipped a left-footed effort just too high. The First Division outfit were already beginning to close ranks and frustrate, but a neat Falkirk move almost came to fruition after 17 minutes only for Barrett to skew wide from Michael Higdon's chest down.
Misplaced passes were hindering the hosts' effort in the final third and Kevin McBride tried to take matters into his own hands, only to rifle a 30-yard drive wide of target. But the goal Falkirk craved arrived just seconds from the half-hour mark.
Following a number of passes in midfield, McNamara collected the ball close to the right touch-line. The former Scotland international's cross drifted over the head of Higdon, but McCann wrapped his foot around a left-foot volley that flew past the helpless Bell.
Queens had barely been seen as an attacking force, yet they passed up a glorious opportunity in the 37th-minute after Tosh's quick free-kick caught the hosts cold and Jim Thomson nodded his free header over.
Queens started the second period in far more positive fashion, with Stephen Dobbie going close after a great run by Roberston. Soon afterwrds Dobbie turned the Bairns defence but his angled drive just went past.
It was a warning Falkirk failed to heed as Gordon Chisholm's men deservedly equalised a minute before the hour mark. Scott Robertson's ball down the right was simply not dealt with by the Bairns and Kean took full advantage to lift the ball over Robert Olejnik.
Queens had finally sprung to life and had a purple patch as they had the Bairns reeling for a while. However on 73 minutes Lovell secured victory with a goal which resulted from a blatant offside situation. It was cruel luck on a Queens side that had come back well after a poor first half.
Queens manager said after the game -"I haven't seen the winning goal, but I've been told it was definitely offside from the TV cameras. "My boys thought it was off at the time, so obviously, if it was, I'm disappointed to go out the cup with that decision.
"I've spoken to the officials and they seem to think they were right, but I've been told by the TV cameras he is definitely off. "I was disappointed with the performance in the first half, we sat too deep and I think paid Falkirk too much respect and allowed them too much room.
"I thought in the second half we did much better. We got back into it at 1-1 and I thought the game could have gone possibly any way."
Queens in my opinion can have few complaints as they simply did not perform in the first half and were always chasing the game against a fairly competent Bairns side who like to play football on the ground. On this showing Queens are still well off the pace from Premier League standard but still gave Falkirk a game of it in the second half.Queens MAD man of the match - Bob Harris - His control and passing were a delight to watch.
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