Cardiff head coach Cork’s Brian Barry-Murphy said he knew his players would not be negatively impacted by a red card as they smashed Rotherham 3-0.
Skipper Ryan Wintle was dismissed after just 21 minutes for felling the goal-bound Harry Gray.
The early blow failed to derail the rampant visitors.
They swiftly took control of the game, despite the man disadvantage, scored three emphatic goals and kept hold of top spot.
Barry-Murphy said: “I was very pleased with the players’ mentality and how they played the game.
“When Ryan was sent off we had to show clear signs of the team we want to be and I am really grateful that the players did that for us.
“We focused on ourselves but today, from the first minute, I had a good feeling…