harding was sent-off in the second match of the 2004–2005 season, a 2–0 loss to plymouth argyle. after the game manager mark mcghee defended harding and he regained his first team place and then scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–0 win over against rotherham united. however, in the next game against millwall harding was at fault for the two goals which saw brighton lose 2–0. he was also dropped by mcghee after making mistakes during a match against stoke city. despite this, harding helped to keep the club in the championship 2004–05, finishing 20th, their highest league position in 14 years.