Gary - This was done by drawing a Path around the flare. Doesn't have to be exact but close. Then make a Selection from the Path and, in this case because it was low res, feather the selection a few pixels. The amount of the feather changes with the resolution. Then make a Curves Adjustment Layer and use the Curves dialog box to bring that part of the image down in value. You'll get it close with the RGB master curves but then need to use the individual color curves to match the color and tonality of the background. After you get it looking as good as you can there will be a visible edge because the original selection will not have been perfect. Now you paint on the Layer Mask portion of the Adjustment Layer with a soft edged brush - either black or white to mask or unmask the effect of the curves. If you go too far, paint it back with the opposite color, remember that when you're painting on a layer mask, it's always in black or white, or percentages of either.