Former Derby and Stoke midfielder Delap, 37, scored the equaliser when he buried Alex MacDonald's corner from ten yards in the 56th minute.
But Delap also helped Burton back into the game on the stroke of half time when MacDonald flicked his cross onto the arm of Robins skipper Russell Penn and Billy Kee converted from the spot.
Cheltenham boss Yates blasted:
"I spent two hours at a managers’ meeting at Walsall, with half an hour spent on handball decisions and how the referee has given that handball against Russ Penn I will never know. We should have had one too, but he booked Terry Gornell for diving and he got them back in the game. Maybe the referee was ring rusty."
And Burton manager Gary Rowett admitted:
"The key moment was the penalty. We were a little tepid in the first half, but there was bundles of character out there and I think a draw was a fair result."
Rowett was also delighted with Delap's performance, but felt his side should have taken advantage of the midfielder's famous long throw-ins. He said:
"We had some half chances in the box and one or two off Rory's throws if we'd anticipated them a bit better. That's something we need to work on."
The two teams kick off the 2013/14 season
Former Exeter striker Jamie Cureton gave his new club the lead in the 22nd minute as Cheltenham dominated the first half.
But Cureton, also 37, was left writhing in agony with a dislocated shoulder and stretchered off after colliding with two Burton defenders when bravely poking the ball in from eight yards after rookie keeper Jordan Pickford had flapped at a goal kick from opposite number Scott Brown.
Ten minutes after replacing Cureton, substitute Byron Harrison added a second.
Winger Jermaine McGlashan's long range curler flew off central defender Marcus Holness and fell kindly for Harrison to stroke the ball in from twelve yards.
Albion should have taken the lead after only SEVENTEEN seconds, but MacDonald scuffed his shot wide from the edge of the with only Brown to beat.
And Cheltenham winger Sam Deering came close to nabbing the points in the 76th minute, but his long range effort hit the bar.
Delap is looking for one more taste of glory before hanging up his boots.
Former Premier League midfielder Delap, 37, grabbed Burton's equaliser on his debut before dismissing suggestions he was looking for an easy life. He said:
"I've seen how much Burton have progressed and feel we can do well this season. If this is my last one, I'd like to go out on a high."
Delap had the option of moving into a coaching role after being released by Stoke and revealed:
"They offered me a role before the change of manager up there and I had another offer, but you are a long time retired. While I think I can still do a job, I'll carry on playing and I definitely felt good out there."
But Cureton, also 37, was left writhing in agony with a dislocated shoulder and stretchered off after colliding with two Burton defenders when bravely poking the ball in from eight yards after rookie keeper Jordan Pickford had flapped at a goal kick from opposite number Scott Brown.
Ten minutes after replacing Cureton, substitute Byron Harrison added a second.
Winger Jermaine McGlashan's long range curler flew off central defender Marcus Holness and fell kindly for Harrison to stroke the ball in from twelve yards.
Albion should have taken the lead after only SEVENTEEN seconds, but MacDonald scuffed his shot wide from the edge of the with only Brown to beat.
And Cheltenham winger Sam Deering came close to nabbing the points in the 76th minute, but his long range effort hit the bar.
Delap is looking for one more taste of glory before hanging up his boots.
Former Premier League midfielder Delap, 37, grabbed Burton's equaliser on his debut before dismissing suggestions he was looking for an easy life. He said:
"I've seen how much Burton have progressed and feel we can do well this season. If this is my last one, I'd like to go out on a high."
Delap had the option of moving into a coaching role after being released by Stoke and revealed:
"They offered me a role before the change of manager up there and I had another offer, but you are a long time retired. While I think I can still do a job, I'll carry on playing and I definitely felt good out there."
My piece from Sunday's paper
... and from Monday's edition
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