Brave Burton suffered FA Cup heartbreak as Oldham squeezed through to the second round - but only after they had been taken to extra-time and penalties.
The Nationwide Conference team came from behind to take the lead through top scorer Christian Moore's second headed goal of the night in the second period of extra-time.
But in a repeat of the first tie at Boundary Park, Nigel Clough's gallant part-timers were denied victory by a goal with just four minutes remaining.
And in the penalty shoot-out it was the Second Division team who held their nerve to clinch a second round tie at home to Cheltenham.
Both teams had missed twice from the spot, but when Neil Glasser put Burton 4-3 in front they were on the brink of a famous victory.
Clint Hill levelled the scores again before Burton defender Stuart Reddington cruelly saw his spot-kick - ironically unlucky number 13 of the shoot-out - smash against the crossbar.
And victory was Oldham's by the skin of their teeth when substitute Carlo Corazzin calmly sent Burton keeper Matt Duke the wrong way.
It was a gripping finale to a pulsating contest in which Burton's part-timers successfully bridged the gulf in class.
Despite Oldham having more of the play, Leslie Pogliacomi was the busier of the two keepers with saves to deny Paul Talbot and Glasser.
Burton also thought they might had had a penalty when Moore was felled in the last minute of the first half after his original shot had been cleared off the line by Fitz Hall.
Oldham's best chance to turn their pressure into a goal came in the 25th minute but Wayne Andrews saw his 12-yard volley loop onto the crossbar.
When the opening goal came Oldham's way in the 50th minute they were aided by a stroke of good fortune.
David Eyres' shot seemed to be covered but took a deflection which left the unmarked Clyde Wijnhard to fire home from 12 yards.
But Burton made it a fight to the finish when Moore headed home manager Nigel Clough's cross at the far post in the 84th minute.
Into extra-time Moore was the man in the right place again, this time heading inside the opposite upright after Andy Sinton's corner had been flicked on by Aaron Webster.
But Oldham were thrown the crucial lifeline when the classy Winjhard set up Eyres for the equaliser with a six-yard volley