Whitman rounded keeper Adam Legzdins and tapped into the empty net from a tight angle after latching on to a punt forward that caught the Halifax defence napping
It was just reward for a performance which showed Hollins' task in attempting to drag the Red Devils away from relegation danger may involve motivating existing players rather than making wholesale changes to an already impressive squad.
Crawley, who lost 2-1 to Gravesend at home last week in what was Hollins' first game in charge, took the lead through a Daryl Clare penalty in the 13th minute, awarded when Halifax's Adam Quinn brought down Steve Burton in the box.
But Halifax, who were out played for a long spells in the first half, hit two goals inside six minutes after the break to turn the game around.
Danny Forrest's header and then John Grant's shot from a Forrest cross had the Shaymen in front as they looked to build on a run of seven wins from eight league games at home.
Halifax clearly missed the influence of injured duo Denny Ingram and Tyrone Thompson. But boss Chris Wilder brought on a veteran Wayne Jacobs for the second half and the ex-Bradford man steadied the home sides midfield.
Just before Whitman equalised against the run of play, Forrest rattled Crawley's bar with a powerful drive from Jacobs' pass.
Jacobs also had a dig at goal but his 30-yard blast on 73 minutes flew wide of the target. But the Shaymen still have the only unbeaten home record in the Conference.
It was just reward for a performance which showed Hollins' task in attempting to drag the Red Devils away from relegation danger may involve motivating existing players rather than making wholesale changes to an already impressive squad.
Crawley, who lost 2-1 to Gravesend at home last week in what was Hollins' first game in charge, took the lead through a Daryl Clare penalty in the 13th minute, awarded when Halifax's Adam Quinn brought down Steve Burton in the box.
But Halifax, who were out played for a long spells in the first half, hit two goals inside six minutes after the break to turn the game around.
Danny Forrest's header and then John Grant's shot from a Forrest cross had the Shaymen in front as they looked to build on a run of seven wins from eight league games at home.
Halifax clearly missed the influence of injured duo Denny Ingram and Tyrone Thompson. But boss Chris Wilder brought on a veteran Wayne Jacobs for the second half and the ex-Bradford man steadied the home sides midfield.
Just before Whitman equalised against the run of play, Forrest rattled Crawley's bar with a powerful drive from Jacobs' pass.
Jacobs also had a dig at goal but his 30-yard blast on 73 minutes flew wide of the target. But the Shaymen still have the only unbeaten home record in the Conference.