A CAMERAMAN was left fuming after his equipment was smashed by an errant shot during Brighton's FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest.
The Seagulls crashed out following a nerve-shredding penalty shootout against Nuno Santo's side on Saturday night.
Brighton's Carlos Baleba tried his luck from range during the first half at the Amex Stadium.
But in searching for his first goal since November, the midfielder accidentally ruined one cameraman's day.
The Cameroonian picked up the ball on the edge of the area and was urged to shoot by the capacity crowd.
Beleba struck the ball sweetly towards the bottom left corner, but saw his shot whistle just past the post.
The ball crashed straight into a camera that had been placed on a tripod just behind the goal.
Steve Wilson, on commentary for the BBC, gasped: “I think he's just destroyed someone's camera.”
Moments later, the unfortunate photographer rushed over to see his pride and joy scattered across the turf.
He was later seen picking up bits of the lens and remonstrating with staff.
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Wilson added: “That wasn't one of those little cardboard ones you get at weddings.
“That was an expensive one.”
Footage quickly went viral, with one fan responding on X: “As a photographer this pains me.”
Another said: “What do you expect for leaving an unattended camera next to the goal a yard wide of the post?”
While a third asked: “Who pays for the damage?!”
And a fourth commented: “Not sure why it wasn't behind the net, asking for trouble there and he got it. Amateur hour.”
It proved to be a night to forget for Brighton, who lost record signing Georginio Rutter to a potentially serious injury.
The 22-year-old was photographed by SunSport after the game being led into an ambulance.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler earlier told reporters: “He might have to go for a scan.
“I cannot say anything now.”
