The visitors established a firm control of proceedings with goals from Gary MacKenzie and Sam Baldock.
Yet substitute Jonathan Forte struck twice in as many minutes before Lee Barnard struck a 77th-minute winner.
Adkins said: "I think this is a defining moment in our season. We started well but then things went a bit flat, but the crowd stayed with us, even when we were two goals behind.
"They don't realise how important they are - they kept us going. When I was manager at Scunthorpe we would try to frustrate the crowds at big clubs, but our supporters just keep going and keep supporting us.
"I am delighted for Jonathan Forte, I know he has that pace and that strength and hopefully this can kickstart his season now. He has that quality to get goals."
Source: PA
Source: PA