The late goal ensured Roar their first win over Western Sydney in three attempts this season and made life increasingly more difficult for Tony Popovic's side as they fight for a finals spot.
Manuel Arana set up Holman, who took the ball forward and unleashed a rasping shot from 20 metres out, delighting the home fans in another dramatic Roar finish that John Aloisi said exemplified his team's fighting spirit.
"A lot of people question this group - I don't know why," he said.
"They never give up; they keep going. We spoke about it before the game - winners find a way to win."
Brandon Borrello opened the scoring 22 minutes in after a defensive breakdown by the Wanderers' defence as he tapped the ball into an open goal.
Jumpei scored the equaliser ten minutes later after Western Sydney attacked on the counter, latching onto a Mitch Nichols pass to roll the ball into the bottom left corner.
Both sides had their chances in the second, with Jamie Maclaren heading wide and Jaushua Sotirio failing to convert for Wanderers while Tommy Oar had a spectacular curling attempt from a foot outside of the left hand box stopped by a diving Vedran Janjetovic.
Up to that point the former Sydney FC keeper arguably had the man-of-the-match award locked up, having denied Maclaren twice from close range.
But it would be the former Australia international Holman who would score the winner after being introduced in the 84th minute.
Making his first appearance since November after undergoing knee surgery, the former Socceroo launched a powerful strike with Janjetovic managing to get his hands on the ball only for it to bounce behind him into the net.
While his side played the final nine minutes with 10 men after Scott Neville picked up a second yellow card, Popovic felt his side deserved to take something from the game.
"To think we're going home with nothing is hard to believe. I thought we were good for at least a point, if not three," he said.
"We created some good opportunities, played some good football at a tough place against a good team."
