The Bairns were under pressure to deliver but the one thing they could never accuse Hughes of is being anything other than positive.
His side's brand of free-flowing football has been well documented and yesterday he pitched three up front to have a real go at Killie. And within two minutes the gung-ho approach worked as exciting youngster Scott Arfield went on a 15-yard run into the box before driving the ball across the face of goal for Finnigan to tap in.
But the visitors roared right back to draw level.
Gibson's corner was met perfectly by Wright and he left home keeper Tim Krul with no chance.
Falkirk nearly regained their lead after 21 minutes as Arfield's low corner was pinged towards unmarked Graham Barrett 15 yards from goal.
But the ex-Arsenal youth star took a fresh-air swipe at the ball and the chance was lost.
It was an open, end-to-end game and almost every time the sides ventured forward you expected another goal.
Gibson was next to try his luck from 25 yards but Krul was equal to the effort, smothering the low drive into his chest.
The on-loan Newcastle keeper was no more than a relieved spectator after 29 minutes as Danny Invincibile blasted a shot off the base of the post.
Falkirk, to their credit, were still pushing numbers forward and had an appeal for a penalty turned down 11 minutes later when Barrett fell under the challenge of Simon Ford.
Barrett beat the turf in disgust, believing he had been pulled back, as ref Alan Freeland waved play on.
Freeland seemed to get that decision spot on as Ford made clean contact with the ball to get it clear.
Kilmarnock emerged from the dressing room looking far stronger and striker Gary Wales missed two chances to give his side the lead.
Jamie Hammell teed up the first effort in 57 minutes as his cross was met by the diving head of Wales only for Krul to make a comfortable stop.
The same pairing linked up five minutes later, Wales this time connecting with Hammell's delivery with his right foot only to fire wide.
Then strike partner Colin Nish missed a golden chance to send the three points back to Rugby Park as the towering star found space inside the box before pulling his effort wide of Krul's big hands.
Killie were now looking the more likely side to claim a win but their attackers couldn't find their shooting boots in the final 25 minutes.
Falkirk were denied a second penalty claim as Michael Higdon appeared to be fouled by Ryan O'Leary but Freeland again refused the award, instead awarding Killie a free-kick.
Falkirk were now coming more into the game and Barrett swivelled on the edge of the box before firing wide of Alan Combe's left post.
Hughes freshened things up after 80 minutes, bringing on Russell Latapy and Pedro Moutinho for Barrett and Finnigan.
And Moutinho almost made an immediate impact as he broke clear inside the 18-yard box but couldn't get a proper connection on the ball.
The chance was lost and the points were shared.
REF WATCH
ALAN FREELAND enraged the home side by twice turning away penalty appeals. His first refusal for Ford's challenge on Barrett was spot on but he could have given Falkirk a penalty for an O'Leary challenge on Higdon. Rating: 6/10
