in the 2010–11 season harding retained his first team place, despite initially being dropped in favour of ryan dickson harding provided two assists later in the season: the first when he set up a goal for rickie lambert in a 4–1 win over swindon town on 26 february 2011; and the second when he set up a goal for jonathan forte to score his second of the game in a 3–2 win over mk dons on 2 april 2011. harding helped the club secure promotion to the championship after a two years absence. after making thirty-six appearances in the season he was named in the league one team of the year along with four teammates. his performances throughout the 2010–11 season were praised by francis benali. at the end of the season harding had an automatic one-year extension to his contract activated.