McDermott has fashioned an impressive, vibrant team and they have built up a head of steam at just the right time.
Shane Long and a Harte penalty secured the club's seventh straight league win to make automatic promotion an realistic aim.
The Royals boss said: "From the moment I took the job I've been positive and tried to enjoy every minute of it and try and win games rather than draw them.
"That's not going to change. We bought Ian for ?70,000 and what a fantastic bargain. He's got 10 goals now and is a real top guy.
"Shane was quiet in the first half and in the second half we asked our strikers to give us a lift. Shane did that and he scored the first goal and won the penalty for the second goal. He's just a terrific player."
Source: PA
Source: PA