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The result may keep Aldershot Town's unbeaten home record intact, but a lacklustre showing in the second half, coupled with too many missed chances, cost Terry Brown's men two vital points.
With two of their toughest fixtures looming this week, including a trip to Hereford United tonight (ko 7.45pm), Brown needs to be notching up as many wins as possible — and a draw at home to Burton just doesn't cut it.
Granted, Brown can claim to be unlucky as his side were denied by the bar twice, but with eight shots registered on goal, to Burton's three, there should have only been one winner.
“I think we were the width of a crossbar from winning it, but we've said that with the Football League before. On another day they would have gone in but then on another day the referee would have given them a penalty late on so it's swings and roundabouts.
“I think it was about a fair reflection, both sides had numerous opportunities to wrap it up. I was pleased with the commitment and effort, on another day we could have won it,” said Brown.
Having conceded 10 goals in their previous three games, Brown was keen to shore up the back-line, but the visitors took the lead after just three minutes, scoring from a free kick given away by Greg Heald on the edge of the box.
The Shots did indeed bounce back with a penalty but that nearly went to waste late on when John Brough failed to head back properly to Nikki Bull, and then swiped at Shaun Harrad to make up for the error in what looked a certain penalty.
Adding to that, Brough had earlier shown disgraceful behaviour for a player of his experience, by thumping the ball into the North Stand in frustration at his own fans for their ironic cheers.
Still only one goal was conceded in the match and that is something Brown is grateful for.
“We defended better today, we were chasing the game and that's always difficult. Apart from the save Nikki made late on he had little to do. My back four defended resolutely and on another day we'd have stuck the chances away to get the three points.
“We played better in the first half, there was a bit of nervousness in the second half some of the clearances we do make the crowd nervous and then amongst the players,” he added.
The result brings an end to a run of three consecutive defeats and Brown is now hoping that this better defensive showing will pave the way for success tonight at Hereford, and again on Saturday when they face another stern test with the visit of Morecambe.
“We needed not to lose, we're well aware that the next two games are as difficult as they get. We know that we're not firing on all cylinders but if the boys keep giving us the commitment, then we'll get something out of the game.
“They're equally difficult games, Hereford is always a difficult place to go and Morecambe home or away are a tough team,” said Brown.
One thing that should be causing the boss concern is the fact that he really has the thinnest of squads and can ill-afford any more injuries.
His bench on Saturday was made up of youngsters, two of whom are not even permanent players, whilst another is transfer-listed.
Whether these weary legs, some of them still getting over injuries, will last three games in a week remains to be seen.
Saturday's match started brightly as the Shots broke forward menacingly, Nick Crittenden punted a long ball ahead, Leroy Griffiths chased it to the by-line before cutting it into the box, Jonny Dixon challenged keeper Saul Deeney for the ball but it bounced too high for the diminutive Ryan Williams to get a head to it.
But with just three minutes gone, Burton rocked the Rec by taking the lead.
Winning a free kick on the right hand side of the box, Kris Taylor floated the ball in, Harrad flicked on with his heel, and Aaron Webster was on hand to poke it home from close range to take the lead.
The Shots responded immediately but a strong Brewers defence held firm. Williams' delivery was headed clear, the ball fell to skipper Steve Watson whose effort cannoned off the bar, before Austin blocked Gary Holloway's follow-up.
Despite their domination, the Shots were unable to make the breakthrough. Watson shot just over and Griffiths' header went the same way, before the striker unleashed a overhead scissor-kick, which was parried.
In the end, the Shots were rewarded for their efforts on the stroke of half-time when referee Andrew Sainsbury awarded them a penalty.
From Crittenden's corner, Darren Tinson went to ground, the ball got lodged between his chest and arm and Mr Sainsbury pointed straight to the spot.
Dixon stepped up but Deeney went the right way and parried, only to see the striker react quickest to the rebound and slot into an empty net.
Seconds later, Greg Heald almost gave the Shots the perfect tonic going into the break but nodded over the bar.
Given the high drama to the conclusion of the first half, the second half started considerably flatter — Crittenden's 35-yard shot pushed over the bar by Deeney, the only real excitement of the opening period.
The Brewers keeper was called into action again — this time from one of his own defenders — as Tinson's looping attempted clearance forced him to parry over again.
Disappointingly though, the Shots failed to come out with the same sort of determination that had seen them driving forwards in the first half.
Matt Somner headed over for the Shots, and for Burton substitute Andy Ducros saw his effort the same way. Bull was called into action for the first time really, saving low down from Ducros before punching clear from Taylor.
Late on, the Shots suddenly became rejuvenated, throwing everything forward. A great save from Deeney denied Holloway the chance for hero status, clawing the ball away from the midfielder's close-range header.
Both teams then suffered a hearts-in-mouths moment when Brough missed the ball when trying to head back to Bull under pressure from Harrad, before clumsily bringing down the striker.
Justified shouts for a penalty ensued but Mr Sainsbury waved them away.
Meanwhile, Taylor stole in to collect the loose ball only to see a superb save from Bull at full stretch parrying the ball wide.
The Shots though came within a inches of winning it themselves in injury-time when Griffiths latched onto Crittenden's free-kick with a fierce shot which cannoned off crossbar.
With thanks to the Aldershot News.