The phrase "a late reply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when apologizing for responding later than expected or required.
Example: "I apologize for a late reply; I was caught up with other commitments."
Alternatives: "a delayed response" or "a tardy reply".
A double from Isco secured victory for the 19-times Copa del Rey winners, with Kike Márquez scoring a late reply for the hosts.
Toni Kroos, Mario Götze, Hector and Mesut Özil scored the goals in Germany's 4-1 win before a late reply by Stephan El Shaarawy.
Kris Boyd headed a late reply, but David Goodwillie fired United's fourth.
Veteran midfielder Andy Robinson ensured a tense finish when he headed a late reply but Rovers fell to defeat.
If you reply to them a few weeks after, you can always say, "Sorry such a late reply," and than say what you have to say.
After the break Saracens added two more Farrell penalties and a Chris Ashton try before Iain Henderson's late reply.
However, McGillvary pounced on a poor kick by Burgess to earn Paul Anderson's side an impressive victory, despite Wigan's late reply.
And further scores from Sitiveni Sivivatu, Wales' Lee Byrne and Napolioni Nalaga saw the hosts stretch away for an easy win, with Timoci Nagusa's late reply no consolation.
It was a winning start for Argentina but their victory was not convincing even before a late Bosnia reply from Vedad Ibisevic.
The Tottenham midfielder quickly struck again from close range when he latched on to a cross from the right by Luka Modric, which proved enough for Croatia despite Shechter's late reply.
Alexander Hleb, Nikola Zigic and Craig Gardner all scored in rapid succession, although the Dons, lying fourth in League One and making their first visit to a Premier League ground, were a credit to the English game's youngest manager, 30-year-old Karl Robinson, and deserved their late reply by Aaron Wilbraham.
