A goalless draw against Blackpool at the weekend left the Bluebirds head coach openly dissatisfied, yet the wider picture ensured the result was not as damaging as it might have been.
Crucially, third-placed Bolton Wanderers slipped to defeat at Port Vale, meaning the gap to Cardiff remains a commanding 11 points with just seven league matches remaining.
Indeed, Bolton have taken only two points from their last three fixtures. Had they converted those opportunities into victories, the deficit would now stand at just four points, significantly increasing the pressure.
Instead, Cardiff retain control of their own destiny in the race for automatic promotion from EFL League One.
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That context offers some relief on a day when the home crowd’s frustration resurfaced.
Boos at the final whistle reflected a performance that failed to match the high standards Cardiff have set during an otherwise impressive campaign.
Barry-Murphy did not shy away from his disappointment after watching his side dominate possession but fail to convert a series of chances against a Blackpool team battling for survival.
"A very disappointing result because we were so determined to win and wanted to win but we weren't able to," said Barry-Murphy.
The contest followed a familiar pattern, with Cardiff probing but struggling to break down a disciplined and compact defensive structure.
"Against teams who defend so deep with so many numbers it can be difficult,” added the Bluebirds boss.
“I think it was part of the game where we want to play quicker and be more direct, to try and make sure we can get to them before they get into a real deep organisation.
"But we created some good chances and a game like that, you're always hoping you will take one of those chances to change the shape of the game.
"The longer the game went on, they were very deep and very difficult to break them down and today we have to accept that we weren't able to score the goals."
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The absence of Salech has been a significant factor in Cardiff’s recent struggles in front of goal.
The club’s leading scorer has been sidelined since January with a neck injury, forcing Barry-Murphy to experiment with a more fluid forward line rather than a traditional striker.
Without that focal point, Cardiff have often been forced into wide areas, delivering crosses without a natural finisher in the box — a tactical scenario Blackpool were content to encourage.
However, there is now renewed optimism that the situation is about to change.
Barry-Murphy confirmed that Salech’s recovery is progressing well, with a return to training imminent during the international break.
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"The intention is for him to train over the course of this break,” added Barry-Murphy.
"He and Isaac (Davies) should be back in training at some stage the week after, so it'll be great for him to start getting back and see how he progresses, but I'm still keen not to put too much pressure on him in terms of when he'll be available.
"It's just good to have him back on the training pitch and making really good progress,
"For them making such good progress from their injuries is a big plus for us all, so it will be good to have them back."
That boost could prove decisive in the closing weeks of the season, particularly given Cardiff’s recent dip in attacking output.
Despite being one of the division’s most entertaining sides for much of the campaign, goals have become harder to come by in recent matches.
Blackpool, meanwhile, executed their plan with precision, earning a valuable point in their fight to avoid relegation.
Head coach Ian Evatt was full of praise for his players’ discipline and application.
"It was almost perfect," said Evatt.
"We would have loved to have won it, but we've come here and had a game plan of how to win the game and we've executed it really well.
"The staff work incredibly hard to deliver a game plan to the players, but the players have to go out there and execute it and today they've done it great.
"Nobody is happy with how this season's gone, me taking over a team that's bottom of the league but if we could deliver in the last seven games like we've done the last two games, we'll be fine."
