Goals from Will Fish, Yousef Salech and Cian Ashford secured a third straight home league win, but it was the control and cohesion of his injury-juggled squad that most pleased Barry-Murphy.
“Really pleasing; to play so well and score the three goals we did from the chances we created, and limit Mansfield to very little, makes it a very satisfying day for us,” said Barry—Murphy.
“I think in this stadium, the support we've had has been incredible and you can see the energy, how quickly it comes when we're playing well.
"For the supporters, who've been so behind us so often this season, to get a day like today where they can enjoy the game, enjoy this evening and be at the top of the table is very satisfying for us all. It's very important."
The Bluebirds boss also praised the “togetherness” of a group once again required to make changes.
Cardiff dominated the first half and should have led earlier, only for Liam Roberts to pull off a stunning fingertip save from David Turnbull’s 30-yard curler.
A minute later, Fish made the breakthrough, glancing in Joel Bagan’s corner at the near post.
READ MORE: Rubin Colwill Injury Will Cast Dark Shadow Over Cardiff City’s Promotion Bid
Mansfield improved after the interval and threatened through Deji Oshilaja and Will Evans, but Barry-Murphy’s side reasserted control at the moment it mattered.
“When it’s 1-0, you always think it can become difficult, so to get the second goal at the point we did was crucial for us,” he said.
"We've had different points of the season where we've been pretty good, but I thought, consistently, we were very good today.
Salech, who could easily have left with a hat-trick, doubled the lead on 70 minutes by guiding in Ronan Kpakio’s low cross.
He missed a gilt-edged chance moments later and saw Roberts block again before Ashford wrapped up the win, following up his own saved effort to tap home with three minutes left.
Barry-Murphy highlighted the impact of those drafted into the starting line-up.
“We had to make changes again today – so you're looking for those players who deserve to come in to have a big impact on the team – and that was very satisfying for me.”
He also confirmed Wales international Rubin Colwill will have surgery on his ankle injury, but that will not add to the midfielder’s estimated recovery time of 12 weeks.
For Mansfield, this was a third consecutive league defeat, though manager Nigel Clough refused to be downcast.
He pointed to a strong 25-minute spell after the break and said his depleted team competed well despite missing several first-team regulars.
