Akins 23-minute effort provided a rare moment of quality as he drilled the ball home from 20 yards through a crowded goalmouth, coming after the home side had failed to clear James Dunne's free-kick.
Visiting goalkeeper Chris Day spent most of the evening as an untroubled onlooker as the toothless home attack managed just one shot on target. O's best chance fell to unmarked striker Michael Symes in the opening period but he sent his header wide of the target from 12 yards.
The better of few second-half chances were created by Stevenage as a goal-bound shot from Dunne was blocked by centre-back Ben Chorley.
Marcus Haber should have put the game to bed just after the hour mark but he failed to connect with a cross from Darius Charles.
The defeat leaves the O's without a point from their opening two fixtures while Stevenage remain unbeaten following their opening draw at home to Carlisle.
