The head coach watched his promotion-chasers suffer a 2-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers - which included a straight red card for defender Gabriel Osho - which further dented the capital club’s League One title push.
The Bluebirds have now lost three of their last six matches, including successive setbacks at home, and have slipped five points behind leaders Lincoln City.
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The result not only strengthened Wycombe’s play-off push but also tightened the race beneath Cardiff, with third-placed Bolton Wanderers now 10 points behind the Bluebirds after their own draw.
Yet Barry-Murphy was adamant the bigger picture remains positive, pointing to the level of displays rather than the outcomes.
“I think we’re in pretty good form performance-wise. We have eight remaining games and our intention is to try and win every single one, like it was on Saturday at Exeter and tonight,” said Barry-Murphy.
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“The players are in great form and I’m very confident moving to Saturday. We started off the game really well, so I’m very pleased with the players and very happy where we are.
“Performance-wise, I thought it gave us a great chance to win the game but we just couldn’t take our chances and conceded a sucker punch.
“I thought we were in control of the game and even with 10 men I thought we were the dominant team, but the scoreline doesn’t reflect that and at the end of the day that’s all people will remember.”
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Cardiff began brightly and dictated much of the early play, but the contest shifted dramatically just before the break when centre-back Osho was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Ewan Henderson.
Even with a numerical disadvantage, the hosts continued to press after half-time, carving out opportunities and largely keeping Wycombe at bay.
However, their inability to convert chances proved costly as the visitors struck twice late on to take all three points.
With 11 minutes remaining, Aaron Morley’s long delivery picked out substitute Andre Vidigal, who brought the ball down expertly before finishing into the far corner.
Just five minutes later, fellow substitute Cauley Woodrow sealed victory, heading home from close range to complete a clinical turnaround.
Wycombe manager Michael Duff praised his side’s resilience and believes they are firmly in the mix for a top-six finish.
“I’m really pleased. We were very good against a top, top team. The sending off was obviously the turning point, but I think it was a red card – it looked pretty reckless at the time,” said Duff.
“They had a lot of territory in the first half and they played around us a lot, but never through us. I can’t remember Will Norris having to make a save.
“We had a couple of opportunities on the counter and I was actually pleased with the first half. The first five minutes of the second half was a disaster. We looked as though we couldn’t find the ball.
“We grew into it and the subs came on and impacted the game. They are a good team and even with 10 men they hurt you.
“If it had ended up at 0-0 playing against 10 men I would still have respected that point because they are so good at what they do.
“We haven’t been good away from home, so winning here was good. There looks as though there are two slots available in the play-off places and about six of seven teams with a chance.
“What we have now is a chance, although ultimately we have to keep on winning matches.
“If we can overcome a few mentality issues, which the first 88 minutes against Bolton and the 90 tonight proves, then we can compete against the best.”
For Cardiff, the frustration lies in a run of results that has not matched their level of control in games.
While the gap to leaders Lincoln has widened, Barry-Murphy’s focus remains firmly on maintaining performance levels and staying ahead of the chasers as the season enters its decisive phase.
