And just like that, black smoke engulfed the south coast sky and more darkness enveloped Brighton's Premier League prospects.
For much of the second half at the AMEX, crisp packets and debris had begun to gather near Vicente Guaita's goal as winds swirled and tension hung in the air - over this derby, and Brighton's future in this division. Then, with 20 minutes to go, the real ruins were left at the other end.
In a crucial game, against their fiercest rivals, Brighton wasted chance after chance, only to be beaten by a mere spectator. Jordan Ayew was conspicuous only by his presence when Christian Benteke drove across the box and fed a reverse pass into the striker's path.