Megan Todd has revealed that the Norwich City Women players were shocked to be told that Martin Herdman had left the club, after the Canaries drew 1-1 with Worthing in their first game since their former boss's departure.

City's decision to part company with Herdman in late February caused a great deal of confusion among those who follow the team, given their lofty position in the Women's National League Division One South East.

Scott Emmerson has since been brought in to replace Herdman on an interim basis and took charge of Sunday's match, with experienced midfielder Todd willing to provide her take on the situation afterwards.

She said: "It was a surprise to the girls. We didn't expect it to come, and we do thank Martin for everything he's done. But we said as a group, we had a chat - we haven't got time to dwell on it unfortunately.

"We have to park it and we've just got to go forward, because we've worked so hard to get to this point. We just can't let one thing ruin our flow.

"I think we've got that game out of the way kind of, and now we can push on."

Emmerson is no stranger to several players in City's squad having worked at the club for many years, and Todd believes he is the right person to help them as they attempt to win promotion.

She explained: "There's a joke at Norwich that you haven't come out of the system unless you've been coached by Scott! He has coached nearly everyone in the squad, so that's probably the reassuring thing.

"(It's) obviously a big change, we just needed a familiar face. The girls know their job, they know their roles. We just need someone to push us on now and get us over the line hopefully.

Eastern Daily Press: Worthing's Emily Linscer drives the ball into the net for the visitors' equaliser

"Not much has massively changed. Obviously the manager, but in terms of training, our routine, what we do, that's the same. We just have to be with each other on the pitch - at the end of the day, we're the ones out there, we're the ones battling.

"(We're) a little bit disappointed today, but we've got some really exciting games coming up so we're looking forward to it."

Ellie Smith's first-half goal at The Nest was cancelled out by Worthing's Emily Linscer, meaning City dropped points for only the fourth time this season, but Emmerson was keen to be positive about the draw.

"I've learnt a lot from the players since I've been in," he stated. "They've worked tremendously hard (and) they've tried to implement a game plan.

"(In the) first half I thought we were more on top and Worthing then crept more into it and we were up against it from that point.

Eastern Daily Press: Ellie Smith gives City the lead against Worthing but it didn't last

"We've kept the unbeaten run going - that's the main thing, to say that you're unbeaten at this stage. There's only probably a couple of other teams that you'd say could be a banana skin for ourselves.

"The girls are showing a little bit of disappointment, but it's the emotion straight after the game, and the main thing is, it shows that they actually care. The care factor is there from the start."

While promotion to the third tier of the women's pyramid remains the main aim for the Canaries this term, Emmerson is also looking to inspire the younger-age teams he works with.

He said: "When Flo made the approach and actually had the conversation, I'd never been in that situation. You always think a change of manager is due to a relegation battle, or close to it.

"I'll take it as an opportunity, it's only until the end of the season. It's an opportunity for me to work with 60-percent of the players that I've worked with before, and meet some new players.

"(And) hopefully, showing that the pathway is there for the under-16s to step up and be involved."

Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Quantrill; Larkins (c), Flye, Strauss, Parker; Morran, Knights; Todd (Symonds 68), Smith (Hailes 71), Lawrence (Tomlinson 84); Snelling. Subs not used: Shaw, Pernet.