Forte was instrumental in the Iron's last-gasp winner after midfielder Matty Sparrow turned in his cross for a well-deserved success at Glanford Park.
And although much of the pre-match focus was on Blades striker Billy Sharp, who completed a £2million move to Bramall Lane in the summer after hitting 32 goals for Scunthorpe last term, it was his former Academy team-mates who were celebrating at the final whistle.
Adncy Crosby had put the Iron ahead, and Martin Paterson doubled their advantage - with Forte setting him up moments after coming off the bench.
Danny Webber's brace had seemed to ensure a draw, before Forte and Sparrow's late intervention.
"It was the right time with half an hour to go to introduce an ex-Sheffield United player in Jonathan Forte," said Adkins.
"They were coming on to us a lot more and I just thought he'd give us a better outlet with the bit of pace he brings to the team.
"And low and behold within 30 seconds he put Pato through who did ever so well for the goal."
Forte moved to North Lincolnshire this summer as part of the deal which saw Sharp return to Sheffield United, while Kevan Hurst also made the move east.
"Kevan's been a revelation this season, he's been top draw," added Adkins.
"He epitomises the team. He works so hard and had a disciplined midfield role out thereand had to dig in a bit.
"But he's a quality football player. He's being outstanding for us and that's why we paid a lot of money for him.
"We showed great character to hang in there and come back and score the winning goal.
"The players worked their socks off for each other. They believe in each other. We're totally committed, we're organised and we haven't been beaten for nine months at Glanford Park."
Blades boss Bryan Robson admitted his players had underestimated the Iron - despite his pre-match warning.
"I warned them all about the good things about Scunthorpe and what they would come up against," he said.
"They are a difficult side to play against here because it's a tight pitch and you don't get too much space to play your football.
"So what you've got to do is compete really well and anticipate on second balls so then you can get into the game and start passing, but we didn't do any of that.
"Then all of a sudden we started playing and put them on the back foot and we get back into the game. But the other thing for me that costs you points and matches is ill-discipline.
"That's what cost us when we got back to 2-2. The players didn't play with their football brains. We started giving needless free-kicks away and that cost us."