It was a repeat of the recent late single goal defeat against Burton for the Bluebirds as Antonio Cozier-Duberry delivered stoppage-time heartbreak in a 1-0 home win for Bolton.
The on-loan Brighton winger struck four minutes into added time at the Toughsheet Community Stadium to hand the Trotters a dramatic victory over the League One leaders.
His curling effort from the edge of the box was the only real moment of quality in a contest otherwise short on attacking invention.
For Barry-Murphy, the late twist was particularly painful given how little had separated the teams.
“It’s a very disappointing goal from our point of view, with it coming so late and you can’t do anything about it,” he admitted afterwards.
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“When something like that happens it’s obviously very disappointing for us all.”
Both sides had struggled to create clear chances, with goalkeepers Nathan Trott and Teddy Sharman-Lowe rarely tested.
Cardiff’s David Turnbull nodded wide from Joel Bagan’s teasing cross in the first half, while Mason Burstow squandered a good opportunity at the other end.
The game seemed destined to finish goalless until Cozier-Duberry’s precise left-foot strike found the far corner to seal Bolton’s fourth consecutive home win.
Barry-Murphy’s side, previously boasting the best away record in the division, were left to reflect on what might have been after a third league loss of the campaign.
“Parts of our game were okay,” the Cardiff boss added.
“We got towards the final third pretty easily but our final product in terms of creating and getting shooting opportunities was very poor.
“When you don’t have enough attacking momentum, you’re always in danger of conceding a goal like we did, and today that was the case.”
In contrast, Bolton manager Steven Schumacher could barely hide his delight after watching his team snatch all three points in dramatic fashion.
“A brilliant three points,” he said.
“In fairness, I think I would have been really happy with one point because, as I said in the week, it was going to be a high quality game against a really good opponent.
“It was a battle, there was not too much given away from both teams. But for us to go and win it in the last minute like that is brilliant, and we all go home really happy.”
