A shoe press 1 for applying pressure to a fibrous web W has a concave press shoe 2 adapted to be juxtaposed with a backing member 6. A plurality of articulated hydraulic actuators 5 are spaced apart in the cross-machine direction along the press shoe 2 to press the shoe toward a backing member. The actuators have first and second cylinders and a piston. The pistons and the cylinders have spherical surfaces adapted to be able to cooperate with each other.