The 19-year-old, signed from Ebbsfleet United, marked his debut with a goal, but equally importantly he energised a side which had fallen two goals behind.
A vibrant Plymouth Argyle had looked on course for their fourth win in a row, but had to settle for a point when City sub David Noble lashed in a 25-yard shot near the end.
City's manager Gary Johnson who had made four changes following a 2-0 defeat at Wolves had sent Akinde on at half-time for his disappointing £2.25million buy Nicky Maynard.
He sent his team out to play power football, but instead they found themselves out-fought and out-paced in the first half before they sorted themselves out.
The damage was inflicted by Jamie Mackie, who destroyed his full-back James McAllister, who had been made City captain for the night in the absence of Louis Carey with an ankle injury.
Mackie, who sees himself as a central striker, was in that position and 20 yards out to open the scoring in the sixth minute with a right piledriver which left City keeper Adriano Basso totally helpless.
Mackie then went past McAllister who had slipped on the wet turf for Chris Clark to head his deep cross back in for Rory Fallon to volley the second goal.
Between the goals Luke Summerfield passed up a wonderful chance to score underlining the trouble the home side were in.
Their best pass of the half came from Maynard, who slipped a low ball into the box for a slow reacting Dele Adebola, but it was not enough to save him.
McAllister had stayed on and redeemed himself with the cross which brought Akinde his goal, before Noble had the final say for the Robins.