Harte praises team performance and resilience

Reading defender Ian Harte has praised the team's performance and resilience in their crucial victory over Brighton on Tuesday night.

The Republic of Ireland international scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute. The Royals had to survive surges of Brighton attacks and goalkeeper Adam Federici had to be on top form to keep a clean sheet. The Australian international made many crucial saves and saved Ashley Barnes' penalty at the start of the second half.

Harte told the official RFC site: 'I thought it was an amazing team performance. Leeds put the foot in a bit and missing Jem and Ledge was a big loss - but the players that came in showed what a fantastic unit we have. The physios worked their socks off to get me fit, I had tablets to take the pain away - you have to fight through it until the summer.'

'Every game is massive, to leave here with three points is incredible - I was absolutely delighted. They put us under a lot of pressure, they're a fantastic passing team - but we knew if they misplaced passes that we could counter attack. We had other opportunities, Pearcey tried to break the cross bar with a header! But it was fantastic to come here and get away with three points.'

The 34-year old's contract is set to run out at the end of this season and is very much playing for another year and another chance at the Premier League. Harte's winning free kick was his fourth goal of the season and third in five games. He is bound to have a tough task in tomorrow's game against Southampton, against the most ruthless attack in the Championship.

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