Getting Error Method range of object worksheet failed when trying to use Countifs function

hi,

Below are two examples of how i am using countifs in excel vba.

THe first one works......no issues:

junk1 = Application.WorksheetFunction.CountIfs( _
        ws_ecrfs.Range(alphacol(ecrf_L1Backlog_col) & 1 & ":" & _
                alphacol(ecrf_L1Backlog_col) & lst_row_wsecrfs), "Yes", _
        ws_ecrfs.Range(alphacol(ecrf_DaysOutstanding_col) & 1 & ":" & _
                alphacol(ecrf_DaysOutstanding_col) & lst_row_wsecrfs), ">" & PageEntryTAT)

However, for some reason the following produces a method range of object worksheet failed error and i can not figure out why

junk4 = Application.WorksheetFunction.CountIfs( _
        ws_queries.Range(alphacol(queries_qrystatus_col) & 1 & ":" & _
                        alphacol(queries_qrystatus_col) & lst_row_wsqueries), "Answered", _
        ws_queries.Range(alphacol(queries_L1Backlog_col) & 1 & ":" & _
                        alphacol(queries_L1Backlog_col) & lst_row_wsqueriesd), "Yes")

Note: i did define the worksheets as follows:

Dim ws_ecrfs As Worksheet
Dim ws_queries As Worksheet
'set link to outstandings worksheet
Set ws_queries = Workbooks(fl_output).Worksheets(ShtOut_OutStandingQueries)
'set link to ecrfs worksheet
Set ws_ecrfs = Workbooks(fl_output).Worksheets(ShtOut_OutstandingeCRfs)

alphacol is a function i created which returns the alpha character for a given number
for example........alphacol(1) represents "A"

thanks norie........i take a look at it