Anthony Elding rescued Stevenage's unbeaten record with a spectacular goal at Eton Park.
After Dale Anderson had put Burton in front in the 49th minute, Elding levelled the scores with a 12-yard overhead kick into the top corner of the net in the 74th minute.
Both managers expressed disappointment with the outcome, for entirely different reasons.
Burton boss Nigel Clough said: "On our three performances so far we feel we're only a whisker away from being top of the table with maximum points." But Graham Westley had a harsher verdict on Boro's performance and moaned: "After the way we played to beat Dagenham in midweek this was definitely a step backwards in terms of the performance." Burton made the first chance in the sixth minute, but Robbie Talbot's shot was comfortably saved by Boro keeper Nathan Abbey.
The visitors then seemed to be taking control with Abbey's opposite number Matt Duke having to push long-range efforts from Elding and Peter Costello away for corners.
But with defences generally in command it was not until first-half stoppage time that either team managed to create a clear cut opening. It went Boro's way when Duke was guilty of ball watching and was relieved as Terry Henshaw cleared off the line to deny Lee Flynn.
Burton made a flying start to the second half and could have been in front within a minute of the restart when Jon Howard was unlucky to have a close-range shot blocked by the legs of Abbey.
Anderson had been the provider on that occasion but in the 49th minute he took on a more familiar role to finish off clinically from eight yards after a defence splitting pass by Glenn Kirkwood.
Stevenage seemed to lack drive and ideas as they tried to fight their way back but it was the ingenuity of Elding that finally breached the Burton defence.
There seemed no real danger when substitute Geoff Pitcher crossed from the right but Elding's athletic effort left Duke rooted to the spot and the ball flew into the top corner.
Boro had one last chance to possibly sneak an undeserved victory but Jason Goodliffe was well off target with a far post header.