Jonny Evans and Warren Feeney joined Northern Ireland's long absentee list on Tuesday before news of McCartney's international retirement came through.
The 20-year-old Manchester United player, currently on loan at Plymouth Argyle, came in following the withdrawal of injured pair Jonny Evans and Chris Baird.
Manchester City teenager Weiss was the architect of Slovakia's goal, dribbling past Jonny Evans and his cross gave the unmarked Sestak the simple task of slotting in from two yards.
Fernando Torres had a chance to wrap the game up before Mata cut inside Jonny Evans and struck on goal from six yards out but De Gea stuck out a leg to get a vital touch and divert the ball round the post.
United - with only one clean sheet to their name this season - fielded centre-halves Wes Brown and Jonny Evans - in for the injured Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand - but it was their front men who were the busier pairing.
It follows the news that defenders John O'Shea and Jonny Evans have been ruled out of action until January.
Kyle Lafferty and Jonny Evans went close for the visitors in the first half while Niall McGinn missed an open goal just after the break.
His list of injured defenders includes England internationals Gary Neville and Wes Brown, who both limped out of Saturday's game, plus longer-term defensive casualties Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans.
Worthington brought Manchester United teenager Oliver Norwood on for his senior debut in the second half while his Old Trafford team-mate Corey Evans and Jonny Gorman were also introduced after the break.
Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans are ruled out, but Ferguson hopes Serbian center-back Nemanja Vidic will recover from illness for Wednesday's Champions League trip to Wolfsburg, with United needing a point to finish top of Group B.
Jonny Evans slid in to restore the lead and Northern Ireland went further ahead when Michal Zewlakow's backpass bobbled past keeper Artur Boruc.
Cristiano Ronaldo made his comeback after ankle surgery and almost set up Jonny Evans for a late winner, only for the youngster to head against the post.
Gloucester made a real mess of the re-start and Gavin Henson - who did his chances of a Wales recall no harm - and Ian Evans gave Jonny Vaughton a run at the corner.
Pompey did manage to carve out one chance and it took an alert Jonny Evans to clear Jamie O'Hara's goal-bound effort.
Corry Evans joins his brother and club-mate Jonny in the squad.
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Jonny Evans was also forced to come off before the end of the victories over Birmingham and Wigan as he continues to feel the effects of a long-standing ankle problem.
Fit-again centre-half Rio Ferdinand may replace Jonny Evans to make his first Premier League start of the season, while keeper Edwin van der Sar and striker Dimitar Berbatov are almost certain starters.
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